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1940s Maps of New Hanover County, North Carolina

Explore 8 historic maps of New Hanover County from the 1940s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1940s — showing old roads, neighborhoods, homes, and landmarks that have changed or disappeared over time.

Whether you're researching your family's past, planning a metal detecting trip, or studying how New Hanover County's landscape evolved across the 1940s, these high-resolution maps are a powerful tool for exploring the history of this region.

  • Focus on a specific era: All maps on this page are from the 1940s, giving you a focused view of this time period.
  • See what’s changed: Compare century-old streets, trails, and buildings to today's modern landscape using overlays and satellite layers.
  • Research with precision: Use these maps for genealogy, historical research, land use analysis, or educational projects.
  • View, download, or print: Maps are fully viewable online in high resolution, and can be downloaded or printed for your own records.

Start exploring New Hanover County's history through authentic maps from the 1940s. This is your window into the past.

New Hanover County, NC maps

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  1. 1942 Map of Topsail
    1942 Map of Topsail
    1942 Topsail
    1942 Print · USGS
    The Pender County coast was undergoing a military transformation in the early 1940s as infrastructure expanded around Camp Davis. Genealogists and historians can trace dozens of family-named water access points like Howard Landing and Edens Landing along the edge of Topsail Sound.
  4. 1942 Map of Wilmington
    1942 Map of Wilmington
    1942 Wilmington
    1942 Print · USGS
    Wilmington and its coastal sounds are shown during the early years of the war, when the riverfront and beach communities were expanding. Researchers can trace family-named landmarks like Everett Creek, the riverside Ruins Anderson Landing, and the seaside Seabreeze resort.
  7. 1942 Map of Cape Fear, 1956 Print
    1942 Map of Cape Fear, 1956 Print
    1942 Cape Fear
    1956 Print · USGS
    Cape Fear and Smith Island are captured here during the early 1940s, serving as a critical coastal outpost. Researchers can trace the wartime infrastructure of the Atlantic coast, from the Cape Fear Lighthouse to the Coast Guard Tower and Signal Mast.
  10. 1946 Map of Snow Marsh
    1946 Map of Snow Marsh
    1946 Snow Marsh
    1946 Print · USGS
    The Lower Cape Fear region just after the war reveals a complex network of maritime defenses and tidal marshes. Researchers can trace the layout of Fort Fisher, locate the Old Lighthouse, and explore the vanished geography of Corncake Inlet.
  13. 1947 Map of Rocky Point
    1947 Map of Rocky Point
    1947 Rocky Point
    1947 Print · USGS
    Coastal North Carolina just after the war shows a landscape of river-bend settlements and expanding rail lines. You can trace old family routes along Merricks Lane Road, locate historic sites like St. James Ch, and see the early industry at Castle Hayne.
  16. 1948 Map of Topsail
    1948 Map of Topsail
    1948 Topsail
    1948 Print · USGS
    The Pender County coastline is shown here in the late 1940s, when the maritime economy was centered on small inlets and landings. Researchers can trace the military history of Camp Davis or locate family sites at Edens Landing and Hampstead.
    2 unique versions available
  19. 1948 Map of Wilmington
    1948 Map of Wilmington
    1948 Wilmington
    1948 Print · USGS
    Wilmington and the New Hanover coast are captured here in the late 1940s, as the region's river-based industry and beach communities began their post-war expansion. Researchers can trace historical sites from the Ruins Anderson Landing to urban landmarks like Union Station and Customs House.
    2 unique versions available
  22. 1949 Map of Georgetown, 1953 Print
    1949 Map of Georgetown, 1953 Print
    1949 Georgetown
    1953 Print · USGS
    The South Carolina coast and North Carolina borderlands appear here in the mid-century, prior to the major modern development of the Grand Strand. Genealogists and historians can trace the rail networks of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad and locate coastal landmarks from Fort Caswell to McClellanville.
End of results
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Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for New Hanover County?
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  • Are there historical topographic maps available for New Hanover County?
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