1943 Map of Gardner Lake

About this map

Gardner Lake and Cathance Lake dominate this 1943 interior landscape of Washington County, where the intricate network of the East Machias River and Machias River systems defines local navigation and industry. The map reveals a mid-century pattern of rural settlement anchored by the villages of Marion, Jacksonville, and Chase Mills. C. W. Buckey and his survey team meticulously documented the area's social infrastructure, including the Cooper Cemetery and several community centers like the East Ridge School and Smith Ridge School. A notable landmark is the Fire Tower atop Cooper Hill, which overlooks a rugged expanse of heaths and brooks. The inclusion of the MIT Camp on the shores of Gardner Lake indicates the area's established role for outdoor recreation and seasonal study during this era, while Maine 191 provides the primary transit link through the townships of Cooper and Marion.