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1947 Map of Providence

Name: 1947 Topographic Map of Providence
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1948
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1948

About this map

Providence serves as the focal point of this regional study, which captures the industrial and maritime landscape of southern New England just after the war. The map illustrates a dense network of urban centers including Fall River, New Bedford, and Pawtucket, linked by the N.Y. N.H. & H. RR and an evolving system of post-war highways. Significant military installations define the coastal character, from the U.S. Naval Reservation and Quonset Point to a series of defensive fortifications such as Fort Wetherill and Fort Adams guarding the entrance to Narragansett Bay.

The maritime geography is exceptionally detailed, charting the complex shorelines of Marthas Vineyard, Nantucket Island, and the Elizabeth Islands. Beyond the major ports, smaller 1940s settlements like Wickford, Jamestown, and Westerly are documented alongside specialized coastal features like Monomoy Point and Tarpaulin Cove. This perspective provides a comprehensive look at the region's transition into the mid-20th century, balanced between its colonial maritime roots and modern industrial growth.