1939 Map of Worcester North

About this map

Holden Center and the surrounding villages of Dawson and Chaffinville occupy the high ground in this pre-war survey, where the Quinapoxet River feeds into the expansive Wachusett Reservoir. The landscape is defined by its complex water system, from the Holden Reservoirs in the west to the southern reaches of Lake Quinsigamond in the east. In the urban core of Worcester, a dense concentration of civic institutions and healthcare facilities appears, including Assumption College, Clark University, and the Worcester State Hospital. The infrastructure of the Boston and Maine RR connects these centers, serving industrial areas near Greendale and North Worcester. This era shows the city as a major regional hub, characterized by a mix of educational campuses like the State Teachers College and public spaces such as Green Hill Park and Elm Park.