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1894 Map of Atlantic City

Name: 1894 Topographic Map of Atlantic City
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1905
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1905

About this map

Atlantic City stands as a dense grid at the southern end of Absecon Beach, marking its early development as a premier coastal destination in the late nineteenth century. The town is remarkably connected to the mainland by a dense network of iron rails, including the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, Philadelphia & Atlantic City Railroad, and the West Jersey and Atlantic Railroad. These lines cut across the wetlands of Absecon Bay, illustrating the massive infrastructure required to support the burgeoning resort economy.

Beyond the boardwalks, the map reveals a complex ecosystem of salt marshes and tidal thoroughfares. Settlements like Leeds Point, Oceanville, and Smithville dot the western mainland shore, while the barrier islands feature several Life Saving Stations and the prominent Absecon Light. To the north, the isolated settlement of Brigantine sits on Brigantine Beach, separated from the mainland by a labyrinth of water bodies such as Reeds Bay and Little Bay.