1942 Map of Cape Romain

About this map

Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge dominates this coastal landscape, protecting a complex network of barrier islands and salt marshes along the South Carolina shore. The 1942 topography, revised with 1973 aerial data, captures the shifting sands and tidal inlets of Cape Island and Murphy Island. The Intracoastal Waterway cuts through the northern marshlands, providing a protected passage inland from the Atlantic Ocean. The map reveals the intricate hydrology of the Lowcountry, defined by meandering tidal channels like Alligator Creek and Needles Eye Creek. On Lighthouse Island, the namesake landmark serves as a primary navigational point for Cape Romain Harbor. This survey preserves the exact coastal contours of the Charleston and Georgetown county border at the South Santee River before further modern development and natural erosion altered these fragile landforms.