1975 Map of Quabbin Reservoir

About this map

Quabbin Reservoir dominates this 1975 aerial orthophotograph, its dark waters contrasting with the dense forest cover of the surrounding Franklin County landscape. This specialized survey was produced just decades after the reservoir's creation, showing the flooded valley where former towns once stood. The imagery reveals the high-ground remnants of these communities, with the names of North Prescott and Cooleyville appearing near the western shore. The map illustrates how the terrain was transformed into a protected watershed, highlighting prominent landforms that became islands or peninsulas, such as the massive Mount L and the rise of Lighthouse Hill. Along the northern boundary near New Salem, the orthophoto provides a precise visual of the forest structure and the scattered clearings that remained during the mid-1970s.