1944 Map of Quabbin Reservoir

About this map

The waters of the Quabbin Reservoir dominate this 1940s landscape, illustrating the profound transformation of central Massachusetts as it became a critical water source. The map documents the high ground remaining as islands and peninsulas, including Soapstone Hill, Mount L, and Russ Mtn, while tracing the submerged topography and new hydraulic infrastructure like the Baffle Dam. While much of the area was inundated, residual settlements such as New Salem and Cooleyville appear along the northern and western margins, providing a geographic record for those tracing family roots in the townships of Petersham, Hardwick, and New Salem. The terrain is characterized by prominent peaks like Packard Mtn and Prescott Hill that survived the valley's flooding, alongside water features like Hop Brook and the West Branch Fever Bk that continue to drain into the newly formed reservoir.