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1949 Map of Petersburg

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Petersburg
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1949
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1949

About this map

Petersburg dominates the confluence of the Appomattox River and its varied industrial and transportation infrastructure as it appeared just after the Second World War. The urban grid is defined by significant landmarks including the USC&GS Courthouse Tower 1941 and the campus of Virginia State College in nearby Ettrick. This map captures a landscape heavily shaped by its military history, prominently featuring the Petersburg National Military Park and the site of The Crater.

Beyond the city limits, the terrain transitions into the rural reaches of Dinwiddie and Chesterfield Counties. The map records a dense network of railroads, including the Atlantic Coast Line and Norfolk and Western, which supported local industry like the sawmill operations. Rural community life is anchored by family and congregational landmarks such as Sharon Church, Smith Grove Church, and the Robert E Lee School, while the Poplar Grove National Cemetery serves as a solemn reminder of the region's Civil War legacy.