1965 Map of Mathews

About this map

The East River and North River define the intricate shoreline of this Virginia coastal region, where dozens of peninsulas like Cow Neck and Potato Neck reach into the Chesapeake Bay. The village of Mathews serves as the central hub, surrounded by a dense network of smaller landings and crossroads settlements including Bohannon, Hudgins, and Moon. This survey reveals the maritime dependency of the mid-1960s, documenting numerous points of water access such as Williams Wharf and Town Point Landing. Local social life is anchored by a significant concentration of community landmarks, from the Mathews Raceway to historic houses of worship like Westville Ch and Christ Ch. The map also details the narrow navigable channels of The Narrows and the aptly named The Hole in the Wall passage, which provided critical transit for local watermen between Hills Bay and the open bay.