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1895 Map of Montross

Name: 1895 Topographic Map of Montross
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1895
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1895

About this map

Montross and the surrounding Northern Neck peninsula are defined by a complex network of wharves and landings that served as the region's primary commercial links in the late nineteenth century. Situated between the Potomac River and the Rappahannock River, the landscape is a series of deeply dissected ridges and tidal creeks. The northern shore is particularly striking for the Nomini Cliffs, which rise abruptly from the water between Popes Cr and Currioman Bay.

Industry and local commerce appear centered on river access, with Potomac Mills and numerous family-named landmarks like Wirt Wharf, Massey Wharf, and Smith Mount Ldg providing essential transportation nodes for agricultural goods. The interior is dotted with established settlements such as Oak Grove, Baynesville, and Stratford, connected by a winding road network that follows the high ground of the peninsula's spine. The map also captures several islands and sounds, including Paynes Island and St. Catherine Sound, detailing the intricate shoreline before modern development altered these coastal reaches.