1944 Map of Naushon Island

About this map

Elizabeth Islands and the northern coast of Marthas Vineyard define this maritime landscape during the early 1940s. The map captures the specialized topography of Naushon Island, where a network of private ways like Main Road and Bowdoin Road connect isolated landmarks such as the Tarpaulin Cove Lighthouse. The interior of the island is heavily wooded, specifically noting Ramshead Woods and Black Woods, interspersed with numerous glacial ponds including Blaney Pond and Westend Pond. Across the waters of Vineyard Sound, the shoreline of Chilmark is charted from Cape Higgon toward West Tisbury. The coastal character is marked by the presence of named beaches like Crescent Beach and Silver Beach, and the treacherous passage at Robinsons Hole separating Pasque Island from its larger neighbor. This survey highlights the era's land-use patterns, balancing maritime navigation aids with the island's estate-like interior road system.