1954 Map of Ware

About this map

Industrial and agricultural life in central Massachusetts centers on the Ware River as it winds through Worcester County in the mid-1950s. The river valley serves as a vital transportation corridor, shared by the Boston and Maine Railroad and the Boston and Albany Railroad, which connect the factory villages of Gilbertville, Wheelwright, and Furnace. These small settlements, established around water power and rail access, contrast with the surrounding upland terrain marked by Dougal Mountain and Mandell Hill. For genealogists, the map preserves the locations of local landmarks like the Hardwick Cem and St Aloysius Cem. The southern edge of the sheet shows the busy center of Ware, where the river loops near Snow Pond, while the rural character of the region is further evidenced by small aviation strips like Barre Airport and Turcott Airport.