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1953 Map of Woods Hole

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Woods Hole
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

Woods Hole and the surrounding coastline of Cape Cod appear here following a 1953 revision, showing a landscape defined by saltwater harbors and a growing seasonal community. The New York New Haven and Hartford railroad line cuts through the interior, connecting the village centers of West Falmouth and Falmouth to the maritime hub at the southern tip. This rail presence highlights the era's logistical dependence on the tracks before the mid-century shift toward highway dominance.

The topography transitions from the heights of Saconesset Hills and Falmouth Cliffs down to complex coastal features like Quisset Harbor and Eel Pond. Offshore, the northeastern fringe of the Elizabeth Islands is visible, including Nonamesset Island and Uncatena Island, separated from the mainland by the Woods Hole Passage. The map records numerous family-named landmarks and local institutions, from the Crowell Cem to the Falmouth Country Club, capturing the Cape's character during its post-war development.