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1903 Map of Crisfield

Name: 1903 Topographic Map of Crisfield
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1920
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1920

About this map

Crisfield serves as the focal point of this coastal survey, where the N. Y. P. & N. R. R. terminates at the water's edge, connecting the Eastern Shore to the maritime economy of the Chesapeake. The intricate shoreline is defined by a network of tidal creeks and marshes, including Jenkins Creek and Ape Hole Creek, which weave through small fishing settlements like Shackertown, Lawsonia, and Birdtown. Navigation in these waters was supported by key landmarks such as the Janes Island L. H. and Somers Cove L. H., marking the threshold between the Tangier Sound and Pocomoke Sound.

Further south, the Fox Islands and Smith Island appear as a series of isolated landforms, including Horse Hammock and Great Fox Island. These islands are bisected by natural channels like the Great Thorofare, reflecting a landscape dominated by the water. The map also delineates the Maryland-Virginia boundary line as it cuts through the Cedar Straits, highlighting the jurisdictional complexity of these shared oyster grounds and coastal waterways.