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1972 Map of Squibnocket

Name: 1972 Topographic Map of Squibnocket
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

Gay Head Cliffs anchor the western tip of Martha's Vineyard in this detailed survey of the island's southwestern reaches. The map highlights the indigenous history and maritime culture of the area, featuring the Indian Burying Ground and Gay Head Lighthouse. The coastal landscape is defined by a network of interconnected salt and freshwater bodies, including Menemsha Pond and Squibnocket Pond, separated from the Atlantic Ocean by narrow barriers like Long Beach.

The small settlements of Menemsha, Lobsterville, and Nashaquitsa show a pattern of fishing and seasonal residency, while the inclusion of the Nomans Land Military Reservation to the south underscores the strategic offshore uses during the Cold War era. From the heights of Prospect Hill and Peaked Hill to the tidal flats of Menemsha Bight, the map documents a geography where family landmarks like Abel Hill Pond and Peases Point sit alongside essential civic features such as the Menemsha Sch and Chilmark Cem.