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1956 Map of Old Orchard Beach

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Old Orchard Beach
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

Old Orchard Beach serves as a prominent coastal anchor in this mid-century survey, revealing a landscape defined by the intersection of early tourism and established local industry. The shoreline of Saco Bay is densely packed around the Campground Tabernacle and several schools like Jameson Sch, while the Boston And Maine Railroad provides the critical transit link through the heart of the settlement. Inland, the terrain transitions into the expansive wetlands of The Heath and the rising ground of Beech Ridge.

Suburban growth is evident along the Maine Turnpike, which bypasses older crossroads like West Scarboro (Dunstan) and Milliken Mills. The map details important local institutions such as Thornton Academy and the Childrens Home in Saco, alongside recreational landmarks like the Beech Ridge Speedway and a Drive-in Theater. This record captures the coastal York County region just as postwar development began to shift the focus from traditional rail-side villages toward automotive-centered infrastructure.