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1947 Map of Providence

Name: 1947 Topographic Map of Providence
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

Providence serves as the metropolitan anchor for this mid-century look at the southern New England coast, where the dense industrial corridors of the Blackstone River and Taunton River meet the maritime world of Narragansett Bay. The map captures a period of transition, documenting the newly established Cape Cod National Seashore and the extensive footprints of Cold War military installations like Otis Air Force Base and the Newport Naval Base.

Coastal geography is detailed from the hook of Cape Cod down to Block Island, including the intricate shoreline of the Elizabeth Islands. Inland, the landscape is defined by a network of state forests such as Myles Standish State Forest and Pachaug State Forest. The transportation infrastructure is dominated by the Penn Central rail lines and the burgeoning interstate system, reflecting the era's reliance on both traditional rail hubs and new highway connectivity.