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1950 Map of Orrs Island

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Orrs Island
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1950
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1950

About this map

The fingers of coastal Maine reach deep into Casco Bay in this mid-century survey, revealing a landscape defined by saltwater coves and narrow peninsulas. Orrs Island and the surrounding Harpswell neck are depicted just after the Second World War, showing a network of shorebound settlements like East Harpswell, North Harpswell, and the village at Cundy Harbor. The intricate coastline is dotted with smaller features such as Widgeon Cove and Merriman Cove, while the interior of the islands and necks remains largely wooded with occasional clearings for landmarks like the Cranberryhorn School and Gun Point School.

Maritime activity is centered around the New Meadows River and Harpswell Sound, which provided natural harbors for fishing and coastal trade. The placement of the Harpswell Ch and numerous cemeteries suggests the deep roots of these seafaring communities. For researchers, the map provides precise locations for family-named points like Barnes Pt, Prince Pt, and Jordan Pt, reflecting generations of land use along the edge of the Atlantic.