1972 Map of Great Point

About this map

Great Point and its iconic Lighthouse stand at the northern tip of this coastal survey, where the waters of the Atlantic Ocean meet Nantucket Sound. The narrow, sandy stretch of The Galls connects this remote point to the broader dunes of Coskata and the marshes of Coatue. This 1972 field-checked map illustrates the dynamic shoreline of northern Nantucket Island, featuring landforms like The Glades and the quiet waters of Coskata Pond. A single Jeep Trail provides the only overland access through the coastal scrub and tidal flats leading toward the small settlement of Wauwinet at the southern edge of the sheet. The map details the complex maritime environment of the Head of the Harbor, capturing a moment when these shifting sands were documented through mid-century aerial photography and precise planetable surveys.