1968 Map of Great Fox Island

About this map

Tangier Sound dominates this hydrographic and topographic study of the Chesapeake Bay's intricate marshland archipelago. Spanning the Maryland and Virginia state line, the map documents the fragile geography of Smith Island and the Fox Islands before significant late-20th-century erosion. Small maritime settlements like Horse Hammock and Reach Hammock appear alongside vital navigation aids, such as the Light stations guiding vessels through Big Thorofare and Cedar Straits. The map's bathymetric data reveals the deep channels of the Little Annemessex River contrasting with the expansive shallows of Twitch Cove and Old House Cove. Large conservation zones are already established, including the Martin National Wildlife Refuge and Janes Island State Park, highlighting the transition of these islands from remote fishing outposts to protected natural landscapes.