1950 Map of Aurora

About this map

The low-lying coastal plains of Beaufort County come into sharp focus near Aurora, where the South Creek estuary dictates the landscape of the mid-20th century. This area, largely defined by the Rich Land and the expansive Beacham Savanna, shows a network of established rural communities like Bonnerton, Edward, and Idalia. The rail-dependent economy is evident through the Norfolk Southern line and the presence of Guilford Station. The cultural landscape is particularly dense with historic houses of worship and burial grounds, such as Weeping Rachel Ch, St Stephen Ch, and the Whitehill Cem near Durham Creek. These sites, along with the Lookout Tower near Edward and various points along the water like Deephole Pt, provide an intimate look at the infrastructure of the North Carolina Tidewater before more modern developments altered the shorelines.