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1904 Map of Vinalhaven

Name: 1904 Topographic Map of Vinalhaven
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1904
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1904

About this map

Vinalhaven and the Fox Islands dominate this turn-of-the-century coastal survey, illustrating a maritime landscape defined by granite quarrying and deep-water navigation. At this time, the island communities were industrious hubs, with the Steamboat Route providing a critical lifeline between the mainland and offshore settlements like North Haven and South Islesboro. The map documents the intricate coastline of Penobscot Bay, featuring safety markers such as the Browns Head L.H. and Heron Neck L.H., which guided the heavy commercial traffic of the era.

Industrial and agricultural patterns are visible through labels like Calderwood Neck and various hills such as Coombs Hill and Barley Hill. The detailed topography reveals the many coves and narrows, including Pulpit Harbor and Southern Harbor, that provided shelter for the local fishing fleets. This edition captures the islands before the mid-century shifts in Maine's coastal economy, preserving the locations of family-named points and early rural roads.