1957 Map of Orrs Island

About this map

U S Naval Air Station occupies a significant portion of the northern peninsula between Buttermilk Cove and Harpswell Cove, marking a major mid-century military presence in this coastal landscape. The map centers on the intricate fingers of Harpswell Neck and Merepoint Neck as they reach into Casco Bay, illustrating a maritime economy defined by sheltered harbors like Cundys Harbor and Orrs Island. Shoreline revisions from the 1970s appear alongside 1950s cultural data, showing the evolution of coastal settlements and road networks like State Route 24. Inland, rural life is rooted at Harpswell Center and the Harpswell Islands School, while the eastern boundary follows the New Meadows River separating Cumberland and Sagadahoc counties. Small landing sites and family-named points, such as Pennellville and Dyer Corner, highlight the long-standing community structure of these Maine peninsulas.