1956 Map of Fortescue

About this map

Fortescue stands as the primary coastal settlement on this portion of the Cumberland County shoreline, where the land gives way to the expansive Delaware Bay. The landscape is dominated by the Downe Public Hunting and Fishing Grounds, a complex network of tidal marshes and salt ponds including Wilmas Pond, Courtney Ponds, and the intricate channels of The Three Mouths. This 1950s era survey shows a geography shaped by water, from the protective reach of Egg Island Point to the navigational hazards of Joe Flogger Shoal and Cross Ledge in the bay. Land access is limited to thoroughfares like Johnsons Rd, emphasizing the isolation of this marshy peninsula. The map captures the coastal transition before major modern changes, detailing beaches such as Fortescue Beach and Raybins Beach that defined the local summer economy and maritime culture of the region.