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1938 Map of Pawtucket

Name: 1938 Topographic Map of Pawtucket
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1941
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1941

About this map

The Blackstone River serves as the industrial spine of this pre-war Rhode Island landscape, anchoring a dense network of mill towns and manufacturing centers. Settlements like Lonsdale, Saylesville, and Valley Falls reveal a landscape shaped by water power and rail access, with the New York New Haven and Hartford Railroad providing essential connectivity between Pawtucket and Woonsocket. The presence of the Cistercian Monastery and numerous community burial grounds, such as St James Cem and Moshassuck Cem, indicates a mature social fabric rooted in the valley's development.

Away from the river’s edge, the map documents the transition to public recreation and preservation at Lincoln Woods Reservation, surrounding Olney Pond. To the north, the terrain rises toward Beacon Pole Hill and Hunting Hill, where the landscape remains more open. This detailed survey captures the era's primary transportation arteries, including Mendon Road and Washington Pike, alongside established landmarks like Arnolds Mills and the Lonsdale Sta.