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1944 Map of Townsend

Name: 1944 Topographic Map of Townsend
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1944
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

The Squannacook River meanders through this landscape, serving as a central corridor for the settlements of West Townsend, Townsend, and Townsend Harbor. During the early 1940s, the Boston and Maine Railroad followed this watercourse, supporting the local economy and connecting the valley to the broader region. The map highlights numerous burial grounds including Riverside Cem and Pine Grove Cem, which provide valuable data for genealogical research in this borderland area.

To the north, the terrain transitions across the state line into New Hampshire, where Potanipo Pond and its namesake Potanipo Hill dominate the Brookline vicinity. This survey captures a mix of industrial and recreational landmarks, from the Pepperell Waterworks to summer retreats like Camp Tevya and Fergamac Camp. The concentration of named hills, such as Russell Hill and Bayberry Hill, alongside wetlands like Talbot Swamp and Dead Swamp, illustrates the complex drainage patterns that shaped early road placements such as the Old Turnpike.