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1986 Map of Martha's Vineyard

Name: 1986 Topographic Map of Martha's Vineyard
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island anchor this 1986 survey, illustrating the maritime geography of the Massachusetts coast in the late twentieth century. The map details the complex shoreline from the Elizabeth Islands to the shifting sands of Coatue. Significant interior features like the Martha's Vineyard State Forest contrast with the dense network of coastal ponds, including Tisbury Great Pond and Sesachacha Pond.

Settlement patterns are clearly defined, from the established hubs of Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs to smaller villages like Lobsterville and Polpis. Navigation aids such as Sankaty Head Light and Cape Poge Light mark the hazards of Muskeget Channel and the open Atlantic Ocean. The presence of the US Naval Reservation on Nomans Land and various wildlife refuges highlights the dual role of these islands as both military outposts and preserved natural habitats during this era.