1912 Map of Point Lookout

About this map

St. Marys River and the southern tip of the Maryland-Virginia peninsula define this maritime landscape at the confluence of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. In the early twentieth century, this region relied heavily on water access, as evidenced by the series of commercial landings like Broomes Wharf, Grason Wharf, and Benville Wharf that served the local economy. The map reveals a cluster of settlements such as St Inigoes, Ridge, and Great Mills connected by early inland roads, while the shoreline is deeply indented by tidal creeks like St Inigoes Cr and Smith Creek. From the prominent Point Lookout at the very tip to the settled banks of St. George Island, the geography illustrates a way of life deeply tied to the Chesapeake's shorelines and the riverine transport network prior to modern highway development.