1943 Map of Kiawah Island

About this map

Kiawah Island is depicted here during the early 1940s, a period when the South Carolina coastline remained largely undeveloped and focused on maritime and agricultural geography. Produced by the War Department and Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, this survey details the intricate network of tidal marshlands and barrier beach topography. The southern edge of Johns Island is visible across the winding Kiawah River, illustrating the separation between the mainland and the seaward islands. Distinctive landforms such as Cinder Point and Eagle Point reach into the marshy interior, while Sandy Point defines the eastern tip where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. The map's layout emphasizes the island's natural coastal progression and the shifting sands of the Atlantic shoreline prior to mid-century development.