1968 Map of Loretto

About this map

The Rappahannock River defines the northern edge of this coastal plain landscape, where the tides met the commerce of the 1960s at Saunders Wharf. The map details a deeply rooted rural community across the Caroline and Essex County lines, anchored by historic congregations at Vauters Ch, Mt Salem Ch, and Bethlehem Ch. The terrain transitions from the marshy lowlands of Drakes Marsh and Otterburn Marsh into the dissected uplands of the interior. The settlement pattern follows the ridges between drainages like Occupacia Creek and Elmwood Creek, connecting small crossroads such as Hustle, Iraville, and Lloyds. Of particular interest to genealogists are the numerous small cemeteries and the site of Hunters Millpond, which points to earlier water-powered industry in the region.