1952 Map of Browns Inlet

About this map

The Camp Lejeune Military Reservation dominates this coastal landscape in the early 1950s, showcasing a network of tidal marshlands and strategic waterways along the North Carolina coast. The Intracoastal Waterway cuts through the sound, providing a critical navigation route sheltered from the open Atlantic Ocean. Natural inlets such as Browns Inlet and Bear Inlet connect the sound to Onslow Bay, where shifting sand dunes and deep channels like Shackelfoot Channel define the maritime environment. The area is characterized by low-lying islands, including Saunders Island, and a complex system of creeks like Freeman Cr and Bear Creek. Military infrastructure is noted by several navigation aids, including a Tower and Light, which served the amphibious training grounds and coastal defense during this post-war era.