1943 Map of Blakiston Island

About this map

Blakiston Island stands as a focal point in the Potomac River, marked by the Blakiston I Lighthouse and the expansive Heron Island Bar. During the early 1940s, the landscape of St. Mary's County reflects both its maritime heritage and wartime utility, notably with the Proving Ground established on Newtown Neck. This peninsula, bounded by St Clement Bay and Breton Bay, shows a mix of agricultural clearings and tactical military space. Across the river on the Virginia shore, the intricate drainage of Machodoc Neck and Coles Neck is visible. Small coastal communities like Milestown and Coles Point highlight the era's reliance on these waterways. The map documents numerous family-named landmarks and navigational aids, including Icehouse Pt Lt, which served the active fishing and transport vessels navigating Nomini Creek and Lower Machodoc Creek.