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1944 Map of Watch Hill

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

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

The Pawcatuck River forms the state boundary between Stonington and Westerly in this 1940s-era topographic study. The landscape reflects a coastal economy transitioning between industrial roots and seaside recreation, featuring active quarries near Quarry Hill Sch alongside emerging resort areas at Misquamicut and Watch Hill. The New York New Haven and Hartford railroad tracks parallel the river, serving the core settlements of Westerly and Pawcatuck.

Coastal geography is defined by a series of salt ponds and coves, including Winnapaug Pond and Little Maschaug Pond, protected by the slender reach of Napatree Beach. At the southern tip, the Watch Hill Lighthouse stands as a primary maritime landmark. Local history is preserved through family and community sites like Davis Cem and St Sebastian Cem, while the interior shows the extensive woodlands of the Woody Hill Reservation.