1950 Map of Portsmouth

About this map

Portsmouth sits at the northern tip of Portsmouth Island, serving as a focal point for this 1950 coastal survey where the Pamlico Sound meets the Atlantic Ocean. The map documents a landscape of shifting sands and maritime navigation, tracing a telephone line that stretches across the marshes and dunes from the main settlement down toward the southwest. Navigational aids like the Wallace Channel Light and Sheep Island Slue Light emphasize the area's importance for vessels traversing Ocracoke Inlet. The terrain is characterized by intricate water features including Casey Bay, Evergreen Slough, and Daniel Swash. Distinctive landmarks such as Shell Castle and The High Hills provide points of reference on an island defined by its isolation and the constant influence of the surrounding tides.