1977 Map of Woods Hole

About this map

Woods Hole and the surrounding coastline of Upper Cape Cod appear in high-contrast detail on this 1977 orthophotoquad. The imagery reveals the dense settlement patterns of Falmouth and the smaller harbors of West Falmouth and Quissett along the eastern shore of Buzzards Bay. The complex interface of land and sea is evident in the jagged peninsulas and sheltered inlets that define the villages of Sippewissett and the famous scientific hub at the Cape's southwestern tip. Across the waters of Vineyard Sound, the northern reaches of Naushon Island are visible, showing the relatively undeveloped character of the Elizabeth Islands compared to the mainland. This aerial-based perspective provides local historians a clear view of road networks and coastal development just before the significant growth of the late twentieth century.