1942 Map of Mount Desert

About this map

Acadia National Park and the rugged coastline of Mount Desert Island are documented here in detail following surveys from the late 1930s. The landscape is defined by the deep indentation of Somes Sound and a network of freshwater bodies such as Eagle Lake, Jordan Pond, and Echo Lake. This era shows the island's dual character as both a prestigious summer destination and a working maritime community, with scientific and infrastructure hubs like the Biological Laboratory at Salsbury Cove and the Bar Harbor Airport established near West Trenton. Local life is anchored in coastal villages like Southwest Harbor, Northeast Harbor, and Somesville, where the presence of the Tremont School and various neighborhood cemeteries—including the South Surry Cem and Leland Cem—provide essential points for genealogical research. The map also traces the Old Turnpike and numerous coastal points like The Ovens and Hadley Point, capturing the transition from traditional maritime travel to modern land-based tourism.