1954 Map of Gibson Island

About this map

Gibson Island and the surrounding Chesapeake shoreline are mapped in detail during the mid-1950s, a period before the rapid suburban expansion of the western shore. The landscape is defined by the Magothy River and its intricate estuaries, including Sillery Bay and Cornfield Creek. Inland, the map reveals a rural and institutional character, showing the Chesapeake Bay Institute Field Laboratory and a State Prison Camp near Skidmore. Settlement patterns are concentrated at waterfront points like Pinehurst and Shore Acres, while established local landmarks like Broad Neck Ch and St Margarets anchor the inland roads. Navigational features are prominent for the mariner, from the Baltimore Lighthouse in the bay to the Magothy River Light. The mapping also highlights early recreation and conservation with the Golf Course on the island and the boundaries of Sandy Point State Park.