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1920 Map of Holland

Name: 1920 Topographic Map of Holland
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1920
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1920

About this map

The Blackwater River and Nottoway River dominate this landscape during the late 1910s, serving as vital corridors for the timber and agricultural trade along the Virginia and North Carolina border. The bustling town of Franklin stands as a rail hub where the Southern and Seaboard Air Line railroads converge, facilitating the movement of goods from the surrounding swamplands. Numerous landings such as Milk Landing, Cox Landing, and Cathole Landing dot the riverbanks, marking the points where the river-based economy met the shore.

Rural life is anchored by a dense network of country schools and churches, from Silver Spring School near Elwood to the Stony Branch Church further south. The map documents the intricate geography of the Great Dismal Swamp's western edge, featuring extensive millponds like Lees Millpond and Marshs Millpond. These water bodies and the accompanying Cypress Swamp highlight the importance of water management and milling in the regional development of Southampton, Isle of Wight, and Nansemond counties.