Maps
Maps and atlases are rich sources of information showing how our community has grown and changed over time. At the library, we have a collection of atlases (1871-1903) on microfilm and several large-scale print maps of the area.
In addition to print maps, the library also offers free access to the following digitized maps and online mapping resources:
Sanborn Maps: From our library computers, you can access one of the most comprehensive online map collections, the Digital Sanborn Maps. (We regret that this resource is not available outside the library.) Sanborn maps were produced from 1867 to 1970 to assist fire insurance companies with risk assessment. Drawn at a scale of 50 feet to an inch, they provide detailed information about all sorts of structures. The Library of Congress is in the process of digitizing its Sanborn Map collection, and has posted helpful information about using the maps on its site. | |
GIS and The Norman B. Leventhal Map Room: The town’s website offers a GIS and map center with current assessment and zoning information. Another wonderful local source for cartography is the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library, with its online collection of more than 7,000 digitized maps. | |
Multi-Lingual Resource Maps: The Watertown Information page of this website includes multi-lingual resource maps of Watertown. These maps can help new residents identify important town resources and buildings. Maps are available in Armenian, Chinese, English, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. |
The links below lead to digitized maps or atlas pages covering Watertown that the library keeps on the statewide Digital Commonwealth site. There, you will find publication information, descriptions, and (in some cases) dimensions and scale.
17th Century
- 1687 – Nonsuch Map
18th Century
- 1720 – Watertown, Residences
- 1794 – Watertown and Waltham
19th Century
- 1829 – Water Privilege at Watertown Bridge
- 1830 – Watertown from June 1830 Survey
- 1850 – Map of Watertown (The library’s copy of this map, which is about 28 inches wide, has been professionally preserved and framed. It hangs in the hallway outside the Watertown Savings Bank Room, on the first floor, alongside an even larger 1874 map.)
- 1851 – Plan of Land in Watertown owned by heirs of Mr. Abijah White
- 1853 – Plan of Watertown
- 1855-60 – Original Allotments of Land
- 1858 – Estate of Dr. Eliakim Morse
- 1879 – Bird’s Eye View of Watertown 1879
- 1889 – Map of Watertown in 5 Parts
- 1890 – Middlesex County
- 1894 – Plan of Charles River from the Waltham Line to Boston Harbor
- 1895 – Plan of West Watertown
- 1898 – Map of Watertown in 10 Parts
- 1898 – Property of the heirs of Alvin Adams Fairlawn Estate
20th Century
- 1902 – Charles River Basin Contour Map of Upper Basin and Lower Basin
- 1908 – Map of the Charles River Valley Between South Natick and Tide Water
- 1908 – Map of the Charles River Valley between the source and South Natick
- 1920 – Map of Waltham and Watertown
- 1924 – Ministerial Land Map
- 1924 – Subdivision of the Boyle Farm
- 1925 – Map of Watertown
- 1930 – Historical Map of Watertown
- 1931 – Map of Watertown Compiled from Former Surveys
- 1935 – Zoning Map of Watertown
- 1940-49 – Hood Rubber Company
- 1945 – Map of Watertown
- 1948 – Zoning Map of Watertown
- 1953 – Map of Watertown
- 1956 – Watertown Arsenal Master Allocation Plan
- 1965 – Map of Watertown, 1953 Corrected to 1965
- 1970 – Map of Watertown
- 1971 – Watertown Zoning Map
- 1973 – Map of Watertown
- 1976 – Watertown Zoning Map
- 1977 – Map of Watertown
- 1979 – Zoning Map of Watertown
- 1984 – Watertown Zoning Map
- 1986 – Chamber of Commerce Map
- 1987 – Chamber of Commerce Map
- 1992 – Chamber of Commerce Map
21st Century