1942 Map of Great Fox Island

About this map

The vast reaches of Tangier Sound define this 1942 survey, where the Maryland and Virginia state line cuts through the aquatic landscape of the Chesapeake Bay. This amphibious environment is characterized by intricate waterways and marshlands, including Cedar Island Marsh and the southern tip of Smith Island. Navigation aids are prominent, with the James Island Light and Somers Cove Light marking critical points for mariners. The map illustrates the specialized infrastructure of the region, such as the House Island Range House I and the complex system of ditches at Horse Hammock, including the Upper Horse Hammock Ditch. These features reveal a landscape heavily dictated by tidal flows and the necessity of managing water for local travel and subsistence. The remote Fox Islands, featuring Great Fox Island, anchor the southern portion of the sheet within the Green Straits.