1942 Map of Cape Fear

About this map

Cape Fear stands at the southernmost tip of this maritime landscape, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the expansive waters of Long Bay and Onslow Bay. Surveyed during the early years of World War II, the map highlights the critical navigational and defense infrastructure of Smith Island, including the Bald Head Lighthouse Radio Beacon and the Cape Fear Lighthouse. A lone Telephone Line stretches across the interior, connecting the Signal Mast and Coast Guard Tower to the broader world. The island's geography is defined by a network of tidal waters such as Middle Creek, Island Creek, and Fishing Creek, which weave through the terrain between Yellow Bluff and Bluff Island. This 1942 survey captures the barrier island's strategic character at a time when its primary features were dedicated to coastal vigilance and maritime safety.