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1919 Map of Cape Henry

Name: 1919 Topographic Map of Cape Henry
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1943
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1943

About this map

Virginia Beach stands at the eastern edge of this coastal landscape, situated between the open Atlantic Ocean and the intricate tidal waterways of Linkhorn Bay and Broad Bay. The area is defined by its maritime geography, from the sweeping dunes of The Desert at Cape Henry to the sheltered waters of Lynnhaven Roads. Inland, the map reveals a transition from these sandy shores to a network of creeks and branches, including Little Creek and Wolfsnare Creek, where early road and rail lines connect established settlements.

Social and civic infrastructure is prominent through markers like Old Donation Church, Haygood Church, and the W E Biddle School. Transportation hubs such as Tidewater Junction and Oceana show the rail-linked growth of the region, while landmarks like the Norfolk City Waterworks and Norfolk City Home reflect the developing public services of the early twentieth century. This survey captures the region just before the mid-century suburban expansion, preserving the locations of numerous family-named landmarks like Smiths Corner and Fleming Crossroads.