1948 Map of Norfolk South

About this map

Industrial and naval activity centers on the confluence of the Elizabeth River and its branches in the late 1940s. The urban centers of Norfolk, Portsmouth, and South Norfolk are shown in dense detail, surrounded by a complex network of rail infrastructure including the Seaboard Air Line, Atlantic Coast Line, and Virginian railroads. The map reveals the heavy military footprint of the era, from the US Naval Reservation to the specialized Degaussing Station at Lambert Point. Residential expansion is evident in planned communities like Alexander Park and Craddock, while the southern reaches of the map transition into the northern edges of the Dismal Swamp. Significant local landmarks like the US Naval Hospital and numerous cemeteries, such as Oak Grove Cemetery, provide valuable anchor points for researchers tracing the mid-century development of the Tidewater region.