1953 Map of Matinicus

About this map

Matinicus Island and its surrounding archipelago anchor this mid-century maritime study of Maine’s outer coastal reaches. The settlement of Matinicus serves as the primary hub for this isolated community, where topographic details trace the lived geography of Philbrook Cove and South Sandy Beach. To the south, Ragged Island is home to the fishing outpost of Criehaven, situated near a Light and several Ruins that hint at the seafaring history of the area. The map illustrates a landscape dictated by the Atlantic, from the sheltered Matinicus Roads to the exposed Matinicus Rock, which houses a U S Coast Guard Reservation. The presence of numerous named ledges and breakers, such as Zephyr Ledges and Inner Breakers, underscores the navigational challenges and the fishing-reliant economy that defined these islands during the 1950s.