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1939 Map of Leonardtown

Name: 1939 Topographic Map of Leonardtown
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1951
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1951

About this map

The Patuxent River and its intricate network of estuaries dominate this 1930s coastal landscape, revealing the deep-seated maritime economy of Southern Maryland. The county seat of Leonardtown serves as a central hub, while the surrounding countryside is dotted with historic landmarks like the Sotterley estate and the river-dependent community of Broomes Island. This period captures the region's reliance on waterborne transport, evidenced by the numerous landings and wharves such as Williams Wharf, St Cuthbert Wharf, and Abells Wharf that lined the banks before modern highway infrastructure fully supplanted the river trade.

Upland from the water, Three Notch Road provides a primary corridor through settlements like Mechanicsville and Hollywood. The map provides significant genealogical value through its documentation of rural institutions, including the Maryland Springs Sch, Bannaker Sch, and the landmark St Andrews Ch. This survey, revised just after the mid-century, preserves the locations of early 20th-century schools and churches alongside the distinctive natural terrain of Tintop Hill and Buzzard Pt.