1958 Map of Mount Tom

About this map

The ridge of East Mountain and the Mount Tom State Reservation dominate this landscape, standing between the growing industrial centers of Westfield and Holyoke. In the late 1950s, this area reflects the mid-century intersection of traditional industry and new infrastructure, anchored by the Massachusetts Turnpike cutting through the southern landscape near the New York Central rail lines. Local culture of the era is captured by landmarks like the Drive-in Theater near Pequot Pond and the expansive Barnes Municipal Airport. To the east, the Connecticut River borders urban neighborhoods such as Oakdale and Elmwood, while the western slopes toward Southampton remain more rural, dotted with sites like the Center Cem and Jr High Sch. The map reveals the heavy industrial footprint of the valley through labels for Paper Mills and various Sand and Gravel operations near the Little River.