1953 Map of Carolina

About this map

The Pawcatuck River and its tributaries carve a path through the wooded hills of Washington County, defining the early industrial character of this corner of Rhode Island. Mill villages like Carolina and Shannock are concentrated along the riverbanks, where the Penn Central rail corridor and historic routes like the New London Turnpike facilitated the movement of goods. The landscape transitions from these tight riverside clusters to large conservation areas, most notably the Indian Cedar Swamp Management Area.