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1944 Map of Grafton

Name: 1944 Topographic Map of Grafton
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1944
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

Grafton and its surrounding mill villages define this landscape during the mid-1940s, situated at the intersection of the Blackstone River and Quinsigamond River valleys. The area shows a mature industrial and social fabric, with settlements like Fisherville, Saundersville, and Farnumsville established along the water power of the Blackstone. Near the northern edge, the expansive grounds of the Grafton State Hospital and the Grafton Airport mark significant institutional and infrastructure developments of the era.

Genealogists and local historians can trace numerous family and community landmarks, from the Harback Sch to a high density of burial grounds including Fairview Cem, Armsby Cem, and St Johns Cem. The terrain is characterized by named heights such as Brigham Hill and Keith Hill, while the rail network—comprising the Boston and Albany and the New York New Haven and Hartford railroads—illustrates the region's historical importance as a transit corridor between Worcester and the Blackstone Valley.