1956 Map of Pattersquash Island

About this map

Pattersquash Island sits at the center of this coastal survey, marking the transition between the waters of Moriches Bay and Narrow Bay. The map highlights the mid-century development of residential communities in the town of Brookhaven, including the established street grids of Shirley and Mastic Beach. These settlements are bounded by a series of tidal inlets such as Unkechaug Creek, Johns Neck, and Sheeppen Creek, reflecting the importance of water access to the local economy and lifestyle. To the south, the protective barrier of Fire Island Beach and Great South Beach separates the inner bays from the vast Atlantic Ocean. This map documents the shoreline configuration and depth soundings of the 1950s, showing the relationship between mainland coastal expansion and the natural barrier island system near Smith Pt.