1901 Map of Ocean City

About this map

Isle of Wight Bay and Little Assawoman Bay dominate this coastal landscape at the turn of the century, illustrating a labyrinthine system of marshes, hammocks, and inlets. The barrier beach is sparsely developed, anchored by critical maritime safety stations such as the Fenwick Island L.H. and the Ocean City L.S.S., reflecting an era when coastal navigation relied heavily on visible landmarks and Life-Saving Service outposts. Inland, the arrival of the Philadelphia Wilmington and Baltimore R. R. and the Baltimore Chesapeake and Atlantic R. R. transformed the region's economy, connecting small agricultural hubs like Berlin and Bishopville to larger markets.