1937 Map of Cape Henlopen

About this map

Lewes serves as the focal point for this coastal survey, where the convergence of the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean creates a complex maritime landscape. The map highlights critical navigational aids such as the Cape Henlopen Light, Harbor of Refuge Light, and Brandywine Shoal Light, which guarded the entrance to the deepwater Harbor of Refuge. Inland, the landscape is defined by the marshy reaches of Broadkill Creek and the infrastructure of the Maryland and Delaware RR and Baltimore and Philadelphia RR. These rail lines, alongside the Washington Canal, illustrate the era's reliance on integrated transport for trade and travel. Local communities like Nassau and Wescoat Corners are situated near the headwaters of Red Mill Pond, reflecting a settlement pattern tied closely to both the coast and the agricultural interior of Sussex County.