1956 Map of Portland

About this map

Portland and the coastal corridor of southern Maine stand as the primary urban anchor in this mid-century topographic study, which spans from the Atlantic Ocean into the heart of the White Mountains. The map documents a period of significant military and infrastructure development, highlighted by the strategic presence of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the newly established Pease Air Force Base. Inland, the landscape is defined by the massive water bodies of Lake Winnipesaukee and Sebago Lake, serving as recreational hubs connected by a maturing road network that includes the Maine Turnpike. The rail economy is still visible through the tracks of the Boston and Maine RR and the Grand Trunk Ry, which serviced industrial centers like Biddeford, Saco, and Manchester. From the heights of Mt Washington to the rocky shoreline at Cape Elizabeth, the map captures the transition from high alpine wilderness to busy maritime ports.