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1904 Map of Montauk

Name: 1904 Topographic Map of Montauk
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1909
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1909

About this map

The eastern tip of Long Island is captured here in 1904, showing the isolated maritime character of Easthampton before it became a major modern destination. Dominating the coastline is the Montauk Point L.H., serving as a critical beacon between the Block Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. The interior of the peninsula is defined by a series of brackish and freshwater bodies, including the massive Great Pond and Fort Pond, which are surrounded by hills like Prospect Hill.

Maritime safety infrastructure of the era is clearly visible through life-saving stations at Ditch Plain L.S.S. and Hither Plain L.S.S.. The arrival of the Long Island Montauk Div. railroad terminated near Fort Pond Bay, marking the early 20th-century push to connect this remote fishing and grazing area to the rest of New York. The map provides an intricate look at the original shoreline features, from the rocky outcrops of Culloden Pt. to the sandy stretches of Shagwong Pt.