1969 Map of Leicester

About this map

The hills of Worcester County are defined by a network of industrial waterpower and transportation corridors in this late 1960s survey. Industrial history is etched into the landscape along the Penn Central railroad line, which connects settlements like Charlton Depot and Rochdale while skirting the Mass Turnpike. The central portion of the map is dominated by large water bodies, including Stiles Reservoir and Cedar Meadow Pond, which supported the mills of the region's textile era. Local history is preserved in small burial grounds such as Pine Grove Cem and Northside Cem. The map also captures the development of education and recreation in the area, showing the Junior College in Leicester and expansive wooded tracts like Spencer State Forest. To the south, the Buffumville Reservoir and French River signify modern water management and conservation efforts in the valley.