1957 Map of Moriches

About this map

Brookhaven National Laboratory and the surrounding U S Reservation occupy the northwestern corner of this mid-century Long Island landscape. To the south, the post-war suburban development of Shirley, Mastic, and Mastic Beach is visible in the dense grid of residential streets, contrasting with the more traditional settlement patterns of Moriches, Center Moriches, and East Moriches along the Montauk Highway. This era represents a period of significant growth before the completion of the Long Island Expressway, which appears here in a preliminary state. The coastline is defined by complex tidal estuaries including the Forge River, Old Neck Creek, and Terrell River, which lead into the sheltered waters of Moriches Bay. Numerous family-named landmarks like Floyd Cemetery and Hawkins Cemetery provide vital links for local historians, while the barrier beach of Fire Island Beach and the Moriches Inlet mark the transition to the open sea.