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1936 Map of Groton

Name: 1936 Topographic Map of Groton
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1936
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1936

About this map

The Nashua River and its tributaries form the central spine of this mid-1930s landscape, which straddles the boundary between southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. The region is defined by a dense network of steam-era transportation, featuring the Fitchburg RR and the Boston and Maine RR. These lines serviced a variety of industrial and educational hubs, from the industrial Paper Mill Village to the storied grounds of the Groton School.

Upland terrain like The Throne and Prospect Hill overlooks a series of valley settlements, including the distinctive communal history of Shaker Village. The map reveals the intricate water-power geography of the day, showing the confluence of the Nissitissit River and the many brooks feeding into Potanopa Pond and Massapoag Pond. It captures a moment when rail travel still dictated the local economy, connecting rural depots like Hollis Depot and Harvard Station to the larger New England corridor.