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1951 Map of Tisbury Great Pond

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Tisbury Great Pond
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

Tisbury Great Pond and its intricate network of finger-like coves dominate this coastal landscape on the southern shore of Martha's Vineyard. The 1951 revision shows a shoreline defined by a long, continuous beach barrier separating the Atlantic Ocean from a series of brackish ponds, including Chilmark Pond, Black Point Pond, and Watcha Pond. Inland, the terrain is shaped by the glacial outwash plain, where small settlements like Chilmark and Nabs Corner are connected by local routes such as South Road and Quenames Road.

Genealogists and local historians can trace family-named landmarks like Allen Pt, Cobbs Pt, and the vanished site of Tississa. The map illustrates the island's transition from traditional land use toward its mid-century character, with the Tisbury River feeding into the great pond through Muddy Cove. The distinct boundaries of West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Edgartown meet here, highlighting how these historic towns shared the resources of the southern Great Ponds.