Loading map...

1918 Map of Doswell

Name: 1918 Topographic Map of Doswell
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1918
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1918

About this map

The Mattaponi River and Pamunkey River systems define the low-lying terrain of central Virginia in the era before major modern development. The landscape is an intricate network of wetland drainage, featuring significant tracts such as Reedy Swamp and Boot Swamp, where early industry is represented by Reedy Mill and Bucks Mill. This 1918 survey documents a segregated educational and social landscape, specifically labeling facilities like the Penola School (Colored), School No 8 (Colored), and the Reformatory for Boys (Colored) near Hanover.

Transportation is dominated by the intersection of the Richmond Fredericksburg and Potomac and the Chesapeake and Ohio railroads at Doswell. This junction supported a web of small rural communities like Shumansville and Ruther Glen. Further south, the map details the civic center at Hanover Courthouse and the established town of Ashland, providing a comprehensive view of the county seats and rural outposts as they functioned at the end of the First World War.