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1941 Map of Machias

Name: 1941 Topographic Map of Machias
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1961
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1961

About this map

Machias sits at the confluence of the Middle River and the Machias River, serving as a central hub for the coastal communities of Washington County during the early 1940s. The landscape is defined by its deep maritime connections, with numerous small harbors and coves like Bucks Harbor and Starboard Cove providing shelter along a fragmented shoreline. Smaller inland settlements such as Dog Town, Hoyttown, and Sylvan Park appear alongside the rail infrastructure at Machiasport Sta, illustrating the connection between the interior woodlands and the sea.

The map reveals a shoreline rich in family-named landmarks and local institutions, including the Holmes Bay Ch and numerous coastal peaks like Pettegrove Mtn and Howard Mtn. Farther out, the Machias Bay is dotted with significant islands, from the larger Cross Island to the isolated Libby Islands and Scabby Islands. This survey documents a traditional Maine coastal economy before modern development, where the geography of Little Kennebec Bay and Englishman Bay dictated the placement of small villages and seasonal camps.