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1956 Map of Howells Point

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Howells Point
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

Bellport and Shirley anchor the northern shoreline of this mid-century coastal survey, where the marshy edges of Long Island meet the protected waters of Patchogue Bay and Brookhaven Bay. The landscape is dominated by the narrow, sandy stretch of Fire Island Beach, a barrier that separates the calm Great South Bay from the open Atlantic Ocean. Several small islands, including Hospital Island, Pelican Island, and John Boyle Island, dot the interior waters, marking the shifting shoals of the bay.

Coastal navigation and recreational geography are evident in features like Old Inlet and the Boardwalk leading toward Smith Point. The mapping of small tidal features such as Mud Creek, Hedges Creek, and Swan River provides a detailed look at the hydrology of the Suffolk County coastline before extensive modern development altered these estuaries. Historical markers like the Lookout Tower near Whalehouse Point reflect the maritime watch culture of the era.