1951 Map of Belvoir

About this map

The Fort Belvoir Military Reservation and the Potomac River shoreline define this early 1950s landscape, where historic estates meet modern defense infrastructure. Significant landmarks of Virginia's colonial and early republic history are prominent, including Gunston Hall near Gunston Cove and the Woodlawn Mansion north of Accotink. The map illustrates a complex network of woods, such as Armistad Woods and Benham Woods, interspersed with military facilities like the Infiltration Course and the Engineer Board. Transportation corridors are well-established, with the Richmond Fredericksburg and Potomac RR and the Southern Ry running parallel to the Shirley Highway and Richmond Highway. Along the tidal flats of Belmont Bay and Occoquan Bay, the map details a world of points and necks, from Hallowing Point to the Mason Neck, reflecting the era's balance between military utility and deep-rooted Potomac heritage.