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1949 Map of Richmond

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Richmond
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1951
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1951

About this map

The confluence of Virginia’s great tidal rivers—the James, York, Rappahannock, and Potomac—shapes this mid-century landscape of the Tidewater and Piedmont regions. Centered on the industrial and rail hubs of Richmond and Petersburg, the map reveals a post-war environment heavily defined by military infrastructure and complex river geography. Large installations such as Camp Pickett, Camp Lee, and Fort Monroe emphasize the region's strategic importance.

Beyond the urban centers, the map details the winding courses of the Chickahominy River and the Mattaponi River, while tracking the major rail arteries like the Richmond Fredericksburg and Potomac RR. From the wetlands of Dragon Swamp to the maritime edges of the Chesapeake Bay at Windmill Point, the survey captures a network of small county seats and coastal settlements during a period of expanding highway travel along US Highway 1 and US Highway 60.