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1957 Map of Portland

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Portland
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1960
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1960

About this map

The Presumpscot River winds through this coastal Maine landscape, connecting industrial centers like Westbrook and South Windham to the Atlantic. In the mid-1950s, Portland stands as a dense hub of commerce and transportation, with the Canadian National Railway and Boston and Maine Railroad converging near Back Cove. The map documents a period of significant regional infrastructure, including the newly constructed Maine Turnpike and the Portland Municipal Airport.

Beyond the urban core, the survey details long-established institutional footprints such as the State Teachers College in Gorham and the Thornton Academy in Saco. The shoreline from Higgins Beach to the rocky protrusion of Prouts Neck reflects a mix of maritime history and emerging residential development. Local historians can trace numerous neighborhood schools like Whitney Sch and Rocky Hill Sch, alongside landmarks like the State Reformatory for Men.