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1906 Map of Dover

Name: 1906 Topographic Map of Dover
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1929
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1929

About this map

Smyrna and the state capital of Dover anchor this early 20th-century survey of the Delmarva Peninsula, where the colonial-era geography of the upper Chesapeake and Delaware Bay remains remarkably visible. The landscape is defined by the intricate "necks" of land, such as Pond Neck and Thoroughfare Neck, carved out by tidal rivers and creeks. A robust maritime economy is evident along the Delaware River shoreline, dotted with landings like Thomas Ldg. and Stave Ldg., alongside navigation aids including the Bombay Hook Light.

Inland, the era's reliance on rail transport is marked by the Philadelphia Baltimore and Washington and the Delaware Division railroads, which connect agricultural hubs like Middletown and Clayton. The map captures several small riverfront settlements such as Fredericktown and Sassafras, while naming specific local landmarks like Bohemia Mills and the Mt. Zion church, providing a detailed view of the region's rural and industrial development before mid-century expansion.