1953 Map of Watch Hill

About this map

The Pawcatuck River defines the border between Rhode Island and Connecticut on this mid-century survey, linking the industrial character of Pawcatuck and Westerly with the coastal retreats of the Atlantic shore. The influence of the New Haven and Hartford RR is evident near the town centers, while the coast shows a landscape shaped by recreation and maritime safety. From the Watch Hill Lighthouse at the tip of Watch Hill Pt to the Misquamicut Club Golf Course, the map detail captures the established resorts of Watch Hill and Misquamicut before later development. Inland, Quarries (Abandoned) and the St Sebastian Cem hint at the local workforce and community life, while the Westerly State Airport and Woody Hill Reservation mark the mid-century footprint of public infrastructure and conservation.