1949 Map of Portland

About this map

Portland and its bustling harbor serve as the focal point of this regional study, which captures the post-war transportation network of northern New England. The coastal reach from Saco Bay up to Casco Bay is defined by a dense concentration of maritime defenses and navigation aids, including Fort Williams, Fort Preble, and the iconic Portland Head Lighthouse. Inland, the landscape shifts from the industrial centers of Biddeford and Saco to the recreational waters of Sebago Lake and the massive Lake Winnipesaukee. The dominance of the Boston and Maine RR and the Maine Central RR illustrates the era's reliance on rail to connect the granite-peaked White Mountains with the Atlantic shoreline. This compilation provides a clear view of the region's topography before the full expansion of the interstate system, showing the early Maine Turnpike alongside established federal routes like U.S. Highway 1.