1898 Map of Choptank

About this map

Annapolis and its harbor anchor the northwestern corner of this maritime landscape, where the Severn River meets the expansive Chesapeake Bay. The late-nineteenth-century survey captures a complex network of coastal settlements and trade routes, from the agricultural heart of Easton to the seafaring communities on Kent Island. Transportation is defined by a reliance on both rail and water, with the Annapolis & Elkridge RR and Philadelphia Wilmington and Baltimore RR providing critical land links. Inland, small village centers such as Royal Oak and St. Michaels are interconnected by early roads and secondary trails. This era's topography reflects an economy tied to the tides, evidenced by numerous landings like Wye Landing and Foreman Landing, alongside essential maritime aids such as the Bloody Pt Bar Light.