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1938 Map of Mt. Washington

Name: 1938 Topographic Map of Mt. Washington
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1938
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1938

About this map

Bretton Woods and the high peaks of the Presidential Range dominate this 1930s landscape, illustrating the complex intersection of early recreational tourism and industrial forestry. The map traces the famous Mount Washington Cog RR ascending from the Base Station toward the summit, while the valley floors are defined by the paths of the Boston and Maine RR and Maine Central RR. These rail lines connected established mountain resorts like the Ravine House and Highlands with smaller timber-related outposts such as Camp 18 and Camp 19.

Settlement patterns follow the Israel River and Moose River, where sites like Jefferson Highland and Randolph Hill overlook the massive protected lands of the White Mountain National Forest. Detailed surveying captures numerous backcountry landmarks, from the remote Pond of Safety to the steep Castellated Ridge. For the historian, the inclusion of the Gore Sch and various ranger stations provides a window into the civic infrastructure that supported these high-elevation communities during the pre-war era.