1928 Map of Dead River

About this map

Dead River and the Carrabassett River dominate this 1920s topography of Somerset and Franklin Counties. The landscape is defined by the early 20th-century plantation system of Maine, including Carrying Place Plantation, Dead River Plantation, and Highland Plantation. In this era before large-scale dam projects altered many regional watercourses, the map shows a network of remote settlements and sporting camps, such as the West Carry Camps on West Carry Pond and the East Carry Pond (Carry Pond P.O.). Local education is anchored by the Dead River School, Highland School, and Mill School, serving dispersed communities like Joe Farm and Spring Farm. The presence of the Old Canada Road and Route 16 suggests the early 20th-century transition from traditional river-and-trail transit to a burgeoning automobile road system through the mountainous terrain of Little Bigelow Mtn and Stewart Mtn.