1898 Map of Barnegat

About this map

Barnegat Bay dominates this coastal landscape, separated from the Atlantic by a narrow barrier island dotted with early maritime outposts. Life at the turn of the century centered on the water and the rails, with Life Saving Stations like L.S. Station Toms River and L.S. Station Forked River guarding the shoreline. The Philadelphia and Long Branch Railroad and the Tuckerton Railroad provided critical connections for settlements like Barnegat and Waretown, while smaller interior locations such as Double Trouble and Barnegat Park sit amongst the cedar swamps and creek branches. At the southern terminus of the bay, Barnegat Light stands as a sentinel near Barnegat City. This survey illustrates the intricate marshland geography of Sedge Islands and Clam Island, reflecting an era when the Jersey Shore was a network of fishing villages and rail depots.