1889 Map of Nantucket

About this map

Nantucket serves as the hub of this late-nineteenth-century maritime landscape, where the town's dense street grid meets the waters of Nantucket Harbor. The interior topography is defined by dozens of kettle ponds and named glacial features, such as Foulger's Hill and the Shawkemo Hills. One of the most striking elements of this era is the Nantucket Railroad, which cuts across the island to connect the main settlement with Surfside on the South Shore and the village of Siasconsett at the eastern edge. Navigational aids emphasize the island's isolation and reliance on the sea, with Nantucket Lt. at Great Point, Brant Point Lt., and Sankaty Head Lt. marking the treacherous coastline. Along the southern beach, a solitary Life Saving Station stands as a reminder of the era's frequent shipwrecks and the vital role of the coast guard predecessors.