1905 Map of Owensville

About this map

Maritime trade and post-office settlements define the landscape of Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties at the turn of the century. The South River, Rhode River, and West River are bustling with activity, evidenced by a series of landings and wharves such as Lees Wharf, Contees Wharf, and Hartges Wharf. This period shows the reliance on both waterborne commerce and the developing rail networks, with the Chesapeake Beach Ry and Philadelphia Baltimore and Washington R R cutting through the countryside. Inland, the map documents small crossroads communities often identified by their dual names and post offices, such as Mt Zion Lothian P.O. and Butlers Harwood P.O.. These small hubs, along with landmarks like the Annapolis Waterworks, provide a granular look at rural Maryland life before the suburban expansion of the later twentieth century.