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1949 Map of Machias

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Machias
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The Machias River and East Machias River converge toward the coast, shaping the commercial and academic character of this Downeast Maine region in the late 1940s. The town of Machias serves as a central hub, anchored by the Washington State Normal School and the Maine Central Railroad corridor. Along the riverbanks, smaller communities like Hoyttown and East Machias reflect the traditional settlement patterns of Washington County, while the Machias Valley Airport shows mid-century infrastructure growth.

Coastal geography defines the southern half of the map, where Little Kennebec Bay and Machias Bay are deeply indented by numerous coves and points. Historic sites like Fort O'Brien Pt stand near the fishing village of Machiasport, illustrating the area's maritime importance. From the heights of Miller Mtn down to the sheltered waters of Bucks Harbor, the map documents a landscape where timber, education, and the sea intersected before later development changed the local topography.