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1955 Map of Meriden

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Meriden
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

The Hanging Hills dominate the western horizon of this mid-century survey, where the dramatic traprock ridges of West Peak and East Peak overlook Meriden. This industrial landscape is deeply defined by the transit corridors of the New York New Haven and Hartford railroad and the Wilbur Cross Highway. The map reveals the city's complex social infrastructure, featuring the State School for Boys, the Undercliff Sanatorium, and prominent recreation areas like Hubbard Park and Columbus Park.

Evidence of historical land use is scattered throughout the hills, including the Cathole Mine and the Stone Tower landmark. Beyond the urban center, the terrain transitions into the residential and agricultural pockets of Southington and Wallingford, marked by ancestral sites like Walnut Grove Cem and Oak Hill Cem. The extensive network of reservoirs, such as Merimere Reservoir and Kenmere Res, illustrates the era's sophisticated water management for the growing Connecticut valley.