1951 Map of Tisbury Great Pond

About this map

The south shore of Martha’s Vineyard is defined here by the intricate coastline of Tisbury Great Pond and a series of coastal salt ponds separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow barrier beach. This 1951 revision captures the area’s rural, coastal character, showing small settlements like Quansoo and Tississa connected by a network of dirt tracks and historic routes such as the Kings Highway. The landscape is dominated by long, finger-like coves such as Deep Bottom Cove and Thumb Cove that reach inland toward West Tisbury. To the west, the terrain rises toward Ridge Hill, while the eastern portion near Edgartown features larger water bodies like Oyster Pond and Watcha Pond. This map details the mid-century shoreline before significant modern development, preserving the locations of family-named landmarks like Nabs Corner and the agricultural roads that serviced this maritime environment.