1954 Map of St. John Pond

About this map

The remote Maine backcountry of Somerset County is defined by a complex drainage network at the headwaters of the North Branch Penobscot River and its connection to the St. John River basin. This mid-century survey illustrates a landscape dominated by timber-industry access and water management, featuring St John Pond Depot as a lonely outpost near the Fifth St John Pond. A notable engineering feature is the Canal and Spillway connecting the pond systems, suggesting historically significant water diversion for log driving. The terrain rises to several named peaks, including Little Russell Mtn and Mulcalsea Mtn, each equipped with a Lookout Tower for fire spotting. The map details a series of sequential ponds, from First St John Pond through the fifth, along with expansive wetlands like Abacotnetic Bog and Big Bog.