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1893 Map of Salem

Name: 1893 Topographic Map of Salem
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1897
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1897

About this map

The coastal North Shore and the historic towns of Essex County are documented here in the late nineteenth century, revealing a landscape defined by saltwater marshes and an intensive railroad network. Maritime life centers around the detailed inlets of Salem Harbor, Beverly Harbor, and Marblehead Harbor, while the interior shows the developed village centers of Salem, Peabody, and Danvers. Several specialized institutional sites are notable, including the Insane Asylum and the historic Dummer Academy near the Parker River.

Industry and transport are intertwined through the many stops of the Boston and Maine Railroad, which connects smaller settlements like Asbury Grove and Thompson Village. The terrain is characterized by numerous drumlins and hills, such as Prospect Hill and Morse Hill, overlooking the Ipswich River and Wenham Swamp. On the coast, the shifting sands of Castle Neck and the barrier of Plum Island protect the inner reaches of the Rowley River.