Falmouth (Maine) Historical Society - Falmouth Historical Maps

Research - Falmouth Historical Maps

Here are links to maps that are helpful when researching the history of families or property in Falmouth. We provide links to digital copies hosted by major institutions because most of the maps are enormous. The full resolution digital maps are so large and in special formats that downloading and processing the entire map is impractical for many. Most researchers are interested in only a portion of the map. We suggest displaying the map in full screen mode and zooming in to obtain the most detail with the best clarity. Capture the displayed image by taking a "screen shot" for processing by any photo editing software.

A presentation given at Falmouth Memorial Library offers a guided tour to these maps:

Maps

Willis, William (1834), Pendleton's Lithography, Boston Osher Map Library - Osher Atlas Collection This map is a companion to Willis' History of Portland. It portrays English settlement of Ancient Falmouth prior to 1690.
Willis, William (1834), Pendleton's Lithography, Boston Osher Map Library - Osher Atlas Collection This map is a companion to Willis' History of Portland. It portrays grants by the Proprietors of Falmouth on Falmouth Neck (present-day Portland Peninsula) by 1728. Many early families in what is present-day Falmouth had homes or businesses on Falmouth Neck. This well-researched map shows where .
The Falmouth Proprietors (ca. 1732), Portland Osher Map Library - Sheet Map Collection - Maps at Falmouth Memorial Library This map is a companion to the Records of the Proprietors (three bound volumes and three small paper books) at the Cumberland County Registry of Deeds. The map portrays lots in the northern portion of Ancient Falmouth. It is the only detailed, contemporary map for the period. It is the vital "Rosetta stone" for making sense of early deeds. The map was expertly imaged but not digitally enhanced by Osher. Use of photo editing software will improve legibility. For more information, see FHS Presents-The Proprietors Map.
Small, John (1761) Osher Map Library This map shows the bounds of Ancient Falmouth from 1658 until 1765 when Cape Elizabeth became the first parish to split off into a separate town.
Greenleaf, S., Captain (1771) Library of Congress This map is a handy reference showing town names and approximate boundaries one the eve of the Revolution.
Des Barres, Joseph F. W. (ca. 1775), London Library of Congress This is a nautical chart. The coastline and navigable waterways should be fairly accurate. Roads and other land features may be approximations.
Willis, W. (1850), Portland Maine Memory Network - Map at Maine Historical Society This map shows Falmouth Neck (today's Portland Peninsula) just before it was burned by the British in October 1775. This was the governmental and commercial center of Ancient Falmouth (minus Cape Elizabeth, including today's South Portland, which split off to become a separate town in 1765). Many early families in what is present-day Falmouth had homes or businesses on Falmouth Neck. This well-researched map shows where.
Noyes, Joseph (1794-5), submitted to the Massachusetts Secretary of State Massachusetts Archives - Digital Commonwealth - Town Plans - 1794 All towns in Massachusetts were required to submit a plan of the town in 1794 (when Maine was still part of Massachusetts). Westbrook and the Deering sections of Portland will still part of Falmouth.
Town of Falmouth, Maine (1804-) Maine History Network - Map at Maine Historical Society This map is the product of a survey conducted to determine the cost of maintaining town roads in 1804. Subsequent changes appear to have been overlaid onto the original. The survey was probably completed using a compass and a chain marked off in rods and links. The roads should be fairly accurate. Houses were added to provided points of reference; their locations are, at best, approximate.
Greenleaf, Moses (1820), Boston Library of Congress This map is a handy reference showing towns and boundaries when Maine gained statehood.
Town of Falmouth, Maine (1828) Osher Map Library - Sheet Map Collection - Maps at Falmouth Memorial Library This map is the product of a survey conducted to determine the cost of maintaining town roads in 1828. The survey was probably completed using a compass and a chain marked off in rods and links. The roads should be fairly accurate. Houses were added to provided points of reference; their locations are, at best, approximate.
J. Chace (1857), Portland & Philadelphia Library of Congress This map portrays Cumberland County in 1871 including many buildings and identifying their occupants. You must zoom in to for a detailed view of Falmouth.
F.W. Beers (1871), New York DigitalMaine Repository - Map at Maine State Archives This map portrays Falmouth in 1871 including many buildings and identifying their occupants.
F.W. Beers (1871), New York DigitalMaine Repository - Map at Maine State Archives This map portrays two Falmouth villages in 1871 including many buildings and identifying their occupants.
J.H. Stuart Co. (1894), South Paris, Maine David Rumsey Map Collection at Stanford University Libraries Plate 53 of this atlas is a map of Falmouth Foreside.
Richards Map Co. (1914), Springfield, Mass. Portland Public Library Digital Commons Plate 22 of this atlas includes a detailed map of Falmouth Foreside from Mill Creek to Mackworth Point.
Sanborn Map & Publishing Co. (1924), New York Osher Map Library - Osher Atlas Collection This map portrays much of Falmouth Foreside including many buildings and identifying their occupants. The link takes you to the first page containing the index. Determine which map contains the section of Falmouth Foreside of interest. Click "Next Page" until you reach that page. The maps are part of a larger collection on Osher's website. Here are the links to the individual maps: Sheet 1 - Index plus St. Mary's & PCC Sheet 2 - Town Landing Sheet 3 - Ricker to Ramsdell Sheet 4 - Depot Road Sheet 5 - The Flats Sheet 6 - Underwood & Falmouth Corner
Reiche, F. (1978) This map provides a lot of information about the lower Presumpscot collected by Ford Reiche.
United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Geologic Map Topoview This tool displays topographic maps created by USGS from 1880 to present.
Town of Falmouth, Maine Vision Government Solutions This map is the most authoritative portrayal of lots within the bounds of Falmouth today. This tool also brings up the property information formerly found on "property cards."