1895 Map of Owensville

About this map

The Patuxent River and the jagged western shoreline of Chesapeake Bay define this landscape south of Annapolis during the late nineteenth century. The interior is characterized by a high density of small rural settlements such as Davidsonville, Owensville, and Lothian, many of which were connected by the Proposed Drum Point Railroad route cutting through the center of the county. This planned line reflects the era's ambition to link the tobacco-growing regions of Anne Arundel and Calvert counties more directly to the deep-water ports. Along the bay, maritime activity is evident at West River (Galesville) and Fairhaven, where the numerous creeks like Glebe Creek and Whitemarsh Creek provided vital access for commerce and local travel. Further inland, the map captures the transition from agriculture to early infrastructure at the Annapolis Water Works and important crossing points like Priest Bridge and Governor Bridge.