1956 Map of Port Norris

About this map

The tidal landscape of the Maurice River dominated the local economy during the mid-20th century, particularly near the fishing and oystering hubs of Bivalve and the curiously named Shell Pile. As shown in this mid-century survey, the town of Port Norris served as the primary settlement, supported by local institutions like St Anthonys Ch, Shiloh Ch, and the Brown Sch. The map illustrates a complex network of waterways, including Hansey Creek, Dividing Creek, and Ware Creek, which snake through extensive marshlands toward the Maurice River Cove. On the eastern shore, the small community at Thompsons Beach sits at the edge of the Delaware Bay. The presence of numerous named ditches, such as Johnsons Ditch and Dickeys Ditch, highlights the human effort to manage the marshy terrain of the Commercial and Downe townships for both industry and access.