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1894 Map of Newport

Name: 1894 Topographic Map of Newport
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1905
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1905

About this map

Coastal fortifications and maritime navigation define this late 19th-century survey of the Narragansett Bay entrance. The strategic military presence is anchored by Fort Adams and Fort Walcott, overlooking the dense street grid of Newport. Across the water, Conanicut Island splits the bay, featuring the protected Dutch Island Harbor and the critical Beaver Tail Light at its southern tip.

On the mainland to the west, the landscape transitions from the heights of Kingstown Hill and Mc Sparran Hill to the busy settlements of Wakefield and Peacedale. The shoreline is a study in early coastal commerce and recreation, from the established resort area of Narragansett Pier to the smaller landings at Watsons Pier and South Ferry. Unique maritime markers, including the Brentons Reef Light Ship moored in the open Atlantic Ocean, highlight the era's reliance on offshore signaling before modern automation.