1944 Map of Essex

About this map

The Connecticut River meets the tide of the Long Island Sound along this shoreline surveyed just before World War II. The landscape is defined by the convergence of coastal commerce and interior industry, with the New York New Haven and Hartford Railroad cutting a path through Westbrook and Old Saybrook. To the north, the industrial character of Ivoryton and Centerbrook is evident, situated near the Falls River and its associated mill ponds like Chalkers Mill Pond. The interior is dotted with family-named landmarks such as Mares Hill and Bushy Hill, alongside social centers like the Winthrop Country Club and the Social Hall. This map captures a moment when the coastal villages were established summer destinations, evidenced by the numerous beaches like Grove Beach and Great Hammock Beach, while maintaining their roots as transportation hubs centered around Saybrook Station.