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1958 Map of Keene

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Keene
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1960
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1960

About this map

Keene serves as the regional hub for Cheshire County in the late 1950s, anchored by the Boston and Maine Railroad and the Dillant-Hopkins Airport. The surrounding landscape is a complex of small industrial hamlets and summer retreats, where the Ashuelot River and Connecticut River define the valley floors. In Swanzey, the concentration of settlements like Swanzey Factory, West Swanzey, and East Swanzey illustrates a heritage of water-powered industry, while Spofford Lake and various recreation sites like Camp Forest Lake point to the area's mid-century growth as a destination for seasonal camps and leisure.

Upland areas are characterized by named peaks such as Mt Pisgah and Franklin Mtn, interspersed with rural landmarks like the Meetinghouse Hill and Mt Caesar Sch. The map also preserves the footprints of isolated railroad stops such as Dole Junction and East Putney Station, offering a detailed view of the transportation network before the full expansion of modern highways altered these traditional village connections.