1932 Map of Nicatous Lake

About this map

Nicatous Lake and its surrounding water system anchor this interior Maine landscape, reflecting a region defined by recreational camps and private sporting clubs in the early 1930s. The shoreline is dotted with specific markers of early 20th-century outdoor culture, such as the Explorers Club on Burnt Island and the New York Club near the Narrows. These camps, including Maple Grove Camp Ground and the Adler Tavern Camp, suggest a well-established seasonal economy centered on the region's complex hydrology. The drainage of the Passadumkeag River and the sprawling wetlands of Thousand Acre Heath dominate the northern terrain, while the eastern edge follows the Machias Lake watershed. This survey, compiled in part from early Air Corps aerial photography, provides a distinct look at the transition from the lake-rich lowlands to the ridges of Morrison Ridge.