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1958 Map of Essex

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Essex
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1989
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1989

About this map

Essex and the lower Connecticut River shoreline are captured here at a moment of significant infrastructure expansion, evidenced by the purple-line updates for the Connecticut Toll Road and its numerous interchanges. The map shows a transition from the historic riverfront commerce of North Cove and Middle Cove toward modern highway-linked development. Inland, the industrial legacy of the region persists in place names like Ivoryton, once a global center for ivory processing, and Centerbrook.

Coastal life is centered around Westbrook and Old Saybrook, where the coastline is dotted with summer-oriented communities such as Grove Beach and Knollwood. Beyond the burgeoning roads, the landscape remains punctuated by traditional landmarks like Riverview Cem, Cypress Cem, and numerous small water bodies including Messerschmidt Pond and Bushy Hill Pond, illustrating the blend of maritime heritage and mid-century suburban growth.