1948 Map of Stockbridge

About this map

The Housatonic River winds through the Berkshire landscape, anchoring a series of industrial and cultural settlements in the years following World War II. The map highlights the cultural importance of Tanglewood situated above the expansive Stockbridge Bowl, also known as Lake Mahkeenac. The river's path is shadowed by two major rail lines, the Boston & Albany RR and the New York New Haven & Hartford RR, which served the valley's mill towns and manufacturing centers. From the northern edge at Lenox to the industrial activity in Housatonic and South Lee, the map reveals a sophisticated network of local roads like Mohawk Lake Road and Glendale Road. Local history and geography intersect at prominent landmarks such as Rattlesnake Hill, Ice Glen, and Laura Tower, providing a clear look at the region's transition from a rail-dependent industrial valley to a summer cultural destination.