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1944 Map of Laurel

Name: 1944 Topographic Map of Laurel
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1944
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

The Patuxent River corridor during the mid-1940s reveals a landscape defined by significant federal institutional and military presence between Laurel and Bowie. Large tracts are dedicated to the Fort George G Meade Military Reservation and the sprawling Beltsville Research Center, where specific zones are labeled for agricultural studies including Swine, Goats, and Zoology. This era captures the region's transition into a specialized research and military hub, anchored by the Patuxent Refuge.

Transportation networks like the Baltimore and Ohio and Pennsylvania railroads facilitate movement through local communities such as Contee and Oak Crest. Cultural and educational landmarks, including the Maryland State Teachers College and the Laurel Race Track, highlight the area's diverse character. Smaller, long-established settlements like Duckettsville and High Ridge remain alongside newer developments like the planned community of Greenbelt.