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1953 Map of Voluntown

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Voluntown
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

Pachaug State Forest dominates this mid-century landscape along the border between Connecticut and Rhode Island. The terrain is defined by a dense network of glacial ponds and wetlands, where the Pachaug River and Shetucket Brook drain through a series of managed waters including Beachdale Pond and Sawmill Pond. The map captures the quiet, rural character of Voluntown and the village of Rockville, areas historically tied to timber and water-powered industry.

Old thoroughfares like Ten Rod Road and the Narragansett Trail cut through the woodland, connecting local landmarks such as Escoheag Hill and Dye Hill. Small family-named features like Palmer Pond and Dawley Pond suggest the early settlement patterns of New London County and Washington County. This survey provides a precise look at the backcountry before modern suburbanization, noting specific structures like the Lookout Tower and various Cem locations used by genealogists to trace local families.