1955 Map of Orono

About this map

Indian Island and the University of Maine anchor this mid-century portrait of the Penobscot River corridor. The river serves as the primary geographic axis, connecting the industrial and academic hubs of Old Town, Milford, and Orono. A distinct shift from the settled riverfronts to the expansive eastern wetlands is evident, with Sunkhaze Meadows and Chemo Bog dominating the interior landscape. Traces of early 20th-century industry and community are scattered throughout the quadrangle, including the Maine Central Railroad line and smaller settlements like French Settlement and Basin Mills. Genealogists may find value in the precise locations of several burial grounds, such as Riverside Cem and Woodlawn Cem. To the east, the landscape transitions toward the high ground of Pisgah Mtn, where the Roosevelt Boy Scout Camp sits near Fitts Pond, illustrating the area's use for managed forestry and recreation.