1953 Map of Voluntown

About this map

Pachaug State Forest dominates this borderland landscape in the early 1950s, creating a mosaic of protected woodlands and glacial ponds across the Connecticut and Rhode Island line. The village of Voluntown serves as a primary hub, situated near Beachdale Pond and Sawmill Pond, the latter hinting at the area's timber history. To the east, the Beach Pond Reservation spans the state boundary, framing the large Beach Pond which straddles the line between Voluntown and Exeter. In the Rhode Island portion, the settlement of Rockville is flanked by Wincheck Pond and Blue Pond, while the topography rises toward Escoheag Hill, where a lookout tower and several small cemeteries mark the higher ground. The map details an extensive network of backroads and trails, including the Narragansett Trail and Shetucket School Road, providing a clear view of the rural infrastructure before modern development patterns fully took hold.