1944 Map of Tisbury Great Pond

About this map

The coastal lagoons and finger-like coves of Martha's Vineyard dominate this mid-century survey, centered on the complex shoreline of Tisbury Great Pond. The landscape reflects a historic reliance on the water, with narrow points like Long Pt and Flat Pt reaching toward the Atlantic Ocean. Inland, the terrain is defined by low elevations such as Ridge Hill and South Hill, while a network of named roads including Ridge Highway and Quename Road connect the scattered settlements of Chilmark and West Tisbury. The mapping reveals a distinct pattern of land division along the great ponds, where coves like Deep Bottom Cove and Thumb Cove provided sheltered access for residents at Quansoo and Tississa. This coastal geography, marked by numerous isolated ponds such as Oyster Pond and Watcha Pond, illustrates the island's traditional maritime and agricultural spatial organization.