1944 Map of Reedville

About this map

Reedville and the surrounding Chesapeake Bay shoreline are depicted here in the mid-1940s, highlighting a maritime landscape defined by its intricate network of necks and creeks. The coastal economy of the Northern Neck is evident in the cluster of waterfront settlements like Fleeton and Fairport, which were central to the regional fishing and menhaden industries. A significant find for local historians is the Julius Rosenwald Sch near Lilian, a notable site in the history of African American education, alongside the Nina H Jeanes School further south. The map documents the rural infrastructure of Northumberland County, from small commercial hubs like Delanos Store to established community anchors including Bethany Ch and Rehoboth Church. Navigation of the Great Wicomico River is marked by the Great Wicomico River Lighthouse and Fleet Pt Lt, which guided vessel traffic into these deep-water estuaries during a period of peak coastal activity.