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1943 Map of Plymouth

Name: 1943 Topographic Map of Plymouth
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1943
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1943

About this map

The town of Plymouth and its coastal surroundings are documented here in detail, showing a landscape defined by glacial ponds and maritime navigation at the onset of the 1940s. Beyond the historic center, the terrain is dotted with significant water bodies like Billington Sea and the massive Great South Pond, while the shoreline is marked by prominent nautical landmarks including Saquish Head and Manomet Pt.. The interior reveals a complex network of woods and waterways, such as the Eel River and numerous named kettle ponds that supported early regional growth.

Industrial and transportation routes are clearly delineated, with the Old Colony Railroad and the New York New Haven and Hartford Railroad connecting coastal settlements like Sagamore and Wareham. These rail lines, alongside established thoroughfares like Old Colony Road, highlight the transition from maritime-focused commerce to more modern overland transport. For those tracing the evolution of southeastern Massachusetts, the map provides a clear look at smaller villages like Chiltonville and Cedarville before mid-century suburban expansion.