1904 Map of Mount Desert

About this map

Lafayette National Park anchors this coastal survey, showing the intricate shoreline and mountainous interior of Mount Desert Island before the park was renamed to Acadia. The map illustrates a transitional era where the maritime economy of the Union River and Western Bay met the growing coastal resort culture. Maritime travel is clearly visible along the steamboat route cutting through Union River Bay and the Western Way, linking mainland ports like Ellsworth and Bayside to the islands. Inland, the map captures the labor of the island at Hall Quarry and the numerous small settlements such as Pretty Marsh, Town Hill, and Eden. The landscape is a complex network of freshwater bodies like Eagle Lake and Jordan Pond separated by granite heights, while coastal villages such as Salisbury Cove and Seal Cove mark the sheltered inlets.