1958 Map of Meldrim

About this map

Walthour Swamp and a network of wetlands dominate this corner of the coastal plain, defining the settlement patterns of Effingham and Chatham counties. The towns of Meldrim and Bloomingdale anchor the southern portion of the sheet, developed along the vital corridors of the Central of Georgia and Seaboard Coast Line railroads. The map reveals a rural landscape where social life centered on small community institutions such as Marlow Sch, Bethesda Ch, and Zion Ch. These features, along with several family and community burial grounds like Gravel Hill Cem, provide a clear view of the mid-century Georgia interior before modern expansion. The hydrologic character of the region is evident in the many bays and branches, including Skinners Bay and Horning Swamp, which shaped the placement of local roads like Old St Augustine Road.