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1917 Map of Mathews

Name: 1917 Topographic Map of Mathews
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1923
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1923

About this map

Mobjack Bay and the intricate Chesapeake shoreline dominate this 1916 survey, revealing a landscape defined by its deep reliance on water transport. The map documents the Mathews peninsula just before the modern road era, when steamboats were the primary link to the outside world. Numerous landings such as Callis Wharf, Roanes Wharf, and Hockley Wharf punctuate the creeks and rivers, serving as vital economic hubs for local agriculture and fishing.

On the interior, the map preserves a detailed record of rural social structures, marking landmarks like Fort Nonsense (Ruins) and various community centers including Salem Church and the Lee Jackson School. From the Guanea Marshes at the southern tip to Gwynn Island in the north, the geography is a complex network of named points and necks, such as Saddlers Neck and Jenkins Neck, reflecting a deeply settled maritime culture during the early twentieth century.