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1926 Map of Laurel

Name: 1926 Topographic Map of Laurel
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1943
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1943

About this map

The Patuxent River and its multiple branches define this landscape, serving as the historical dividing lines for Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties. The map captures a critical rail-oriented era where the Baltimore and Ohio RR and the Electric RR connect established hubs like Savage Sta and Annapolis Junc. The presence of institutions such as the House of Reformation near Jessup and the Christian Brothers College reflects the region's developing social and educational infrastructure during the early 20th century.

Rural life is anchored by family-named landmarks and local schoolhouses, including the Willis School and Paint Branch School. Small settlements like Muirkirk, Beltsville, and Simpsonville are linked by a network of early roads such as the Old Rolling Road and the Turnpike. Researchers can also identify long-standing agricultural sites like the U S Experimental Farm and natural features like Mistletoe Springs, which highlight the area's transition from rural farmland to the suburbs of the future.