1953 Map of Manchester

About this map

Grenier Air Force Base dominates the center of this mid-century landscape, illustrating the military's significant footprint between the industrial hubs of Manchester and Nashua. The Merrimack River serves as the primary corridor for development, flanked by the Daniel Webster Highway and the Boston and Maine railroad line. While the urban centers show dense street grids, the surrounding towns of Londonderry, Derry, and Windham retain their rural character, dotted with family-named landmarks like Moose Hill and Bell Hill. Local institutions are well represented, from the sprawling campus of Pinkerton Academy to the religious grounds of Our Lady of Mercy Novitiate. Further east, the recreational draw of the lakes is evident around Massabesic Lake and Canobie Lake, the latter already established as a destination for its leisure grounds and natural scenery.