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1892 Map of Gardiner

Name: 1892 Topographic Map of Gardiner
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1906
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1906

About this map

The Kennebec River corridor dominates this late 19th-century survey, revealing a landscape defined by water-dependent industries and early rail transit. Settlements like Gardiner, Richmond, and Bowdoinham anchor the riverbanks, while the Maine Central Railroad traces the western shore, connecting busy centers of trade. On the river itself, Swan Island and Little Swan Island sit at the confluence of the Abagadassett River and Eastern River, highlighting the intricate network of tidal channels and points that served Maine's maritime economy.

Further inland, the terrain transitions to a series of ridge-and-pond systems. Local history is etched into the labels of small communities such as Litchfield Corners, South Litchfield, and Richmond Campmeeting. The northwestern corner is marked by the expansive Cobbosseecontee Pond and the suggestively named Purgatory Pond, while high points like Bowdoinham Ridge and Iron Hill provide context for the region's agricultural and industrial layout during this era of growth.