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1944 Map of Lewes

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

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

The maritime gateway of Lewes and the surrounding coastal marshlands of Sussex County are captured here just after the mid-century, based on 1943 air photographs and field work. This coastal landscape is defined by its strategic water access, from the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal to the Roosevelt Inlet, marked by several navigational aids including the North Jetty Lt and Rear Range Lt. The map reveals a transition from the structured grid of the town center to the sprawling inland necks, such as Covington Neck and Hells Neck, where small communities like Nassau and Quakertown were established near the Pennsylvania railroad line.

Local history is preserved in the location of rural gathering places like Whites Chapel and Burtons Chapel, as well as the naming of family-linked landmarks like Gills Neck and Murray Corners. The extensive Great Marsh and Davidson Marsh illustrate the natural barrier between the mainland and the shifting sands of Broadkill Beach and Primehook Beach. This survey provides a clear view of the drainage patterns through the Broadkill River and Old Mill Creek, essential for understanding the agricultural and navigational history of the Delaware Bay shore.