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1957 Map of Cape Elizabeth

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Cape Elizabeth
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

Coastal Cumberland County topography is defined by the sharp transition from the residential fringes of South Portland to the rocky promontories and hidden coves of Cape Elizabeth. The map highlights a landscape in post-war transition, where established residential areas like Delano Park and Elizabeth Park sit near working shorelines and navigational landmarks. Notable maritime infrastructure includes the Portland Head Lighthouse and the strategic U S Mil Res Fort Williams at the northern tip, while the interior reveals the importance of the Great Pond drainage and the meandering Spurwink River.

The southern reaches of the quadrangle are dominated by the offshore Richmond Island, separated from the mainland by the Richmond Island Harbor. Geographers can trace the complex network of ledges and rocks such as Taylor Reef and Witch Rock that have historically challenged Casco Bay navigation. Small-scale resource extraction is evident through scattered Sand Pit and Borrow Pit labels, while community life is anchored at the Cape Elizabeth Ch and the coastal recreation corridor along Crescent Beach.