Loading map...

1949 Map of Gunpowder Neck

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Gunpowder Neck
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

Gunpowder Neck dominates this mid-century maritime landscape, defined by a complex network of estuarine inlets and peninsulas where the Gunpowder River and Bush River meet the Chesapeake Bay. The terrain is shaped by tidal creeks like Watson Creek and Salt Peter Creek, while the northwestern corner shows the established community of Harewood Park near the Pennsylvania railroad line and Harewood Station.

A prominent Military Reservation Boundary encloses much of the neck, indicating the specialized land use of the era, which included a Rifle range and numerous observation towers. Offshore, Pooles Island stands as a significant navigational marker with its Tower and lighthouse, while smaller landforms such as Spry Island and Carroll Island dot the bay. This survey captures a moment when the shoreline was a mix of secluded military tracts and small waterfront settlements like Miami Beach.