1919 Map of Cape Henry

About this map

Old Donation Church stands as a spiritual landmark near the complex waterways of Lynnhaven Bay and the Western Branch, anchoring a landscape defined by the convergence of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. This 1918 survey documents the coastal character of Virginia before mid-century modernization, showing the sprawling woodlands of The Desert and the shifting sands near Cape Henry. The map captures an era of rail-dependent transit, with the Southern and Norfolk lines intersecting at Kempsville and spurs reaching out to Ocean View. Local infrastructure is visible through the Norfolk County Waterworks and Norfolk City Home, while small family-named crossroads like Bonneys Corner and Smiths Corner suggest the rural genealogy of the area. Educational and religious life is preserved through labels like the W E Biddle School and Eastern Shore Chapel, providing a clear view of the settlement patterns that preceded the region's suburban expansion.