1893 Map of Gay Head

About this map

Marthas Vineyard and the chain of the Elizabeth Islands define this maritime landscape at the end of the nineteenth century. The western reaches of the islands are anchored by the fishing community of Chilmark and the prominent Gay Head Cliffs, where the Gay Head Light serves as a vital navigational aid for vessels transitioning between Vineyard Sound and the open Atlantic Ocean. The map reveals a coast dominated by Great Ponds and salt marshes, including Menemsha Pond and Squibnocket Pond, which were central to the local economy and geography before modern development.