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1932 Map of Phillips

Name: 1932 Topographic Map of Phillips
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1932
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1932

About this map

Sandy River flows through the heart of this 1932 topographic survey, serving as the primary corridor for the narrow-gauge Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes RR. This rail line connects the timber and agricultural hubs of Phillips and Madrid, passing through notable transit points like Madrid Junction and Perham Junction. The map illustrates a rural landscape where education was deeply localized, as evidenced by numerous district schoolhouses such as Cushman Sch, Blethen Sch, and Mile Square Sch.

In the more vertical terrain to the north, the heights of Mt Abraham are punctuated by Fire Towers, indicating the era's active forest fire detection network. The valley floor is dotted with small settlements like East Madrid and Avon Corner, while the surrounding hills are named for local families, including Sampson Hill and Sylvester Hill. This map captures a moment before the widespread consolidation of rural schools and the eventual abandonment of the narrow-gauge rail infrastructure that once sustained these mountain communities.