1904 Map of Swan Island

About this map

The granite shores and seafaring outposts of Hancock County are captured here as they appeared at the turn of the century. Centered on the intricate coastline of Swan Island, this survey highlights the maritime importance of Burntcoat Harbor and the clustered settlements of Minturn and Atlantic. The map details a complex archipelago where life was dictated by the tides of Blue Hill Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, showing isolated communities like Frenchboro on Long Island and the neighboring Placentia Island. Navigational aids, including the Blue Hill Bay L.H., mark the passages used by local fishermen and coastal traders. Beyond the larger islands, a scatter of smaller landmasses like Marshall Island, Opechee I., and Great Duck Island illustrate the rugged geography of the Maine coast before modern development altered these remote working waterfronts.