1951 Map of Bunyan

About this map

Norfolk Southern rails cut through the low-lying terrain of Beaufort County, connecting small agrarian communities north of the Pamlico River. This mid-century survey reveals a landscape defined by expansive wetlands, most notably the J & W Dismal Swamp and Big Swamp, where drainage patterns and road placements reflect the challenges of the coastal plain. Scattered settlements like Bunyan and Alligoods serve as local anchors, while a network of country churches, including Rosemary Ch and Zion Ch, highlights the rural social structure of the era. The presence of the River Road Sch and several named crossroads like Five Points suggest a well-established community infrastructure despite the surrounding marshes. Cultural revisions from 1974 are noted in purple, showing the evolution of local landmarks and roads like those near Betsys Elbow and Douglas Crossroads over the decades.