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1953 Map of Durham

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Durham
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

Durham and its neighboring villages serve as the central hub of this mid-century survey, showcasing a landscape defined by the drainage of the Coginchaug River and the undulating ridges of the Metacomet Ridge. The rural character of the early 1950s is evident in the scattered crossroads settlements like Beaver Head Corner and Rockland, while the industrial and agricultural heritage is marked by features such as Allyn Millpond and the broad Durham Meadows.

Transit patterns are clearly delineated by the winding path of the New York New Haven and Hartford Railroad as it cuts through Reed Gap, alongside older routes like Stagecoach Road. Large tracts of protected land, including Cockaponset State Forest and the Durham Hunting Area, dominate the eastern and central portions of the quadrangle. For those interested in local landmarks, the survey includes the Guilford Lookout Tower atop the heights near Bluff Head and the quiet waters of Quonnipaug Lake, providing a clear record of Middlesex and New Haven County land use before significant modern suburbanization.