1954 Map of Lewes

About this map

The coastal marshlands and maritime infrastructure of Lewes dominate this mid-century survey, showcasing a landscape defined by its proximity to Delaware Bay. The Pennsylvania railroad line terminates near the coast, serving the U S Military Reservation (Fort Miles) and the busy Breakwater Harbor. Inland, the terrain is a complex network of waterways like the Broadkill River and Old Mill Creek, which wind through the Great Marsh toward small coastal settlements such as Broadkill Beach. The map records significant water-management features including the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal and the Roosevelt Inlet, alongside localized history at Whites Chapel and Burtons Chapel. These details illustrate the transition from a river-and-rail economy to one increasingly focused on coastal defense and growing beachfront communities like Primehook Beach.