1953 Map of Assawoman Bay

About this map

Fenwick Island Lighthouse and the adjacent Fenwick Island C G Sta Tower stand as primary landmarks along the narrow barrier beach separating the Atlantic Ocean from the intricate wetlands of the Maryland and Delaware coast. This 1940s-era topography reveals a landscape dominated by tidal guts, hammocks, and coves, where small settlements like Bayville and the emerging Maryland Beach served as hubs for coastal life. The map details the complex geography of Little Assawoman Bay and the larger Assawoman Bay, connected by The Narrows. Numerous family-named points and islands, such as Johns Hammock, Conch Pt, and Bennett Point, indicate a long history of local maritime use. From the marshy reaches of Miller Neck to the southern waters of the St Martin River, the survey documents a coastal ecosystem prior to extensive modern development, including the Soil Conservation Service Assawoman Bay Site No 8.