1953 Map of Manns Harbor

About this map

Manns Harbor sits at the eastern edge of a transition between the expansive open waters of the Albemarle Sound and the intricate wetlands surrounding East Lake. This mid-century coastal survey documents a landscape defined by water and marsh, where small settlements like Mashoes Marsh are anchored by local landmarks such as Mt Mitchell Ch. To the south, the village of Manns Harbor is depicted just as modern infrastructure begins to reshape the Outer Banks region, with a road marked Under Construction heading toward a Ferry Route that crosses Croatan Sound. The map reveals the hydrography of the interior, including the Northeast Prong and Hooker Gut, providing a detailed look at the drainage patterns of the mainland before major land-use changes. It captures a moment when travel still relied heavily on the water, evidenced by the scattered lights and pilings along the sound.