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1921 Map of Newport News

Name: 1921 Topographic Map of Newport News
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1928
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1928

About this map

Military and maritime infrastructure dominates the landscape of Hampton Roads in this early post-war period. The massive Ship Yard at Newport News and the Navy Yard in Portsmouth anchor the regional economy, while the sprawling Navy Base at Sewall Point and the Army Base to its south reflect the rapid expansion of naval operations. The map provides a detailed view of the complex rail networks serving these hubs, including the Chesapeake and Ohio RR and Virginian RR, which converge on the waterfront piers.

Residential growth is evident in neighborhoods like Glenwood Park, Titustown, and Algonquin Park, even as rural enclaves such as Churchland and Twin Pines remain distinct in the western interior. To the south, the edge of the Dismal Swamp encroaches upon small settlements like Gilmerton and Deep Creek. Historical defenses at Fort Monroe and Fort Wool guard the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay, marking the strategic importance of this harbor.