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1891 Map of Mt. Vernon

Name: 1891 Topographic Map of Mt. Vernon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1891
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1891

About this map

The Potomac River serves as the central artery for this late nineteenth-century survey, dividing the developing federal district and Northern Virginia from the rural stretches of Maryland. The landscape is defined by its transition from the urban density of Washington and Georgetown to the sprawling estates and small villages of Fairfax and Prince William counties. Military and civic history is deeply etched into the terrain, from the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery and Fort Myer overlooking the capital to Fort Washington guarding the river downstream.

Inland, the map reveals a complex network of early railroads like the B. & O. R. R. and numerous stations such as Seminary Sta. and Silver Spr. Sta. that facilitated regional growth. Significant landmarks like Mt. Vernon and the massive Cabin John Bridge highlight the area's heritage and engineering progress. The survey captures numerous established settlements including Dranesville, Falls Church, and Manassas before the mid-twentieth century suburban expansion reshaped the region.