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1942 Map of Burgaw

Name: 1942 Topographic Map of Burgaw
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

Burgaw serves as the focal point of this 1942 survey of Pender County, where the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad corridors define the movement of goods and people through the coastal plains. The map reveals a landscape balancing agricultural development with vast natural wetlands, most notably the expansive Angola Swamp and Holly Shelter Swamp which dominate the eastern half of the quadrangle. Along the Northeast Cape Fear River, small landings and crossings like Shelter Neck Road and White Stocking reflect the riverine economy of the early 1940s.

Of particular interest to historians are the planned communities and state facilities, including the Penderlea Homesteads and the nearby Van Eden settlement. The presence of the Coastal Plain Exp. Station near Willard and the Prison Camp northwest of the county seat provides a detailed look at the institutional and agricultural research footprint of the era. Smaller settlements such as St. Helena, Watha, and Stag Park are shown with their proximity to the rail line and the winding Rock Fish Creek.