1894 Map of Petersburg

About this map

The industrial and transportation hub of Petersburg dominates this late-nineteenth-century landscape, positioned at the strategic falls of the Appomattox River. In the years following the Civil War, the city’s complex rail network, including the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and the Norfolk and Western Railroad, radiated south and west across Dinwiddie and Prince George counties. The map preserves significant landmarks of the era, such as the Crater and the nearby National Cemetery, serving as reminders of the region's recent conflict. Beyond the urban core, the terrain is defined by a dense network of swampy lowlands like Arthur Swamp and Warwick Swamp. These rural stretches are dotted with small commercial outposts and neighborhood centers such as Youngblood's Store and Robinsons Store, alongside several water-powered operations like Rowland's Mill and Cain's Mill.