1956 Map of Frederica

About this map

The Murderkill River and St Jones River define this coastal landscape as they wind through tidal marshes toward the Delaware Bay. During the mid-1950s, the region maintained a distinct separation between inland agricultural life and coastal fishing settlements. The Dupont Highway serves as the primary artery, passing through the village of Little Heaven and near the landmark Barratts Chapel. Along the bay, the fishing communities of Bowers and South Bowers sit at the mouth of the Murderkill, while Kitts Hummock marks the northern shoreline. The map reveals the early footprint of Dover Air Force Base in the north, contrasting with the preservation of local history at the Dickinson Mansion. To the south, the town of Frederica is situated at a bend in the river, surrounded by the wetlands of Murderkill Neck.