1890 Map of Maurice Cove

About this map

Port Norris stands as the primary hub of activity along the northern shore of Maurice River Cove in this late nineteenth-century survey. The landscape is defined by the intricate tidal network of the Downe and Commercial townships, where the Maurice River meets the Delaware Bay. The presence of the Maurice River Branch (Central R.R. of N.J.) and the West Jersey R.R. (Maurice River Branch) underscores the importance of the maritime economy, connecting these coastal wetlands to broader inland markets. Navigation throughout the treacherous Main Channel is guided by a series of critical offshore landmarks, including the Egg Island Light and Fourteen Foot Bank Light. Between the mainland and the deep water, the map reveals a vast expanse of shoals and points, such as Dead Man's Shoal and Miah Maul Shoal, which reflect the constant shifting of the New Jersey coastline during this era.