1945 Map of East Lee

About this map

The Housatonic River corridor serves as the industrial and transit heart of this Berkshire County landscape at the conclusion of the Second World War. The New York New Haven and Hartford railroad tracks parallel the river, connecting the manufacturing hubs of Lee, Lenoxdale, and Lenox. In contrast to the valley floor, the highlands to the east are dominated by the October Mountain State Forest and the winding path of the Appalachian Trail. This terrain is defined by a series of high-altitude water bodies, including Goose Pond, Finerty Pond, and Sandwash Reservoir. Historical local thoroughfares like Lenox Whitney Place Road and Schoolhouse Road provide access to the more isolated settlements of Washington and West Becket. The map captures the region's character as a mix of river-based industry and protected upland wilderness.