1954 Map of Rocky Mount

About this map

Albemarle Sound and Pamlico Sound dominate this mid-century coastal survey, illustrating the complex geography of the North Carolina Tidewater. The landscape is defined by its vast wetlands and protected areas, from the Great Dismal Swamp in the north to the Croatan National Forest near New Bern. The era's transportation network is clearly visible, with the Atlantic Coast Line and Norfolk Southern railroads connecting interior hubs like Rocky Mount, Wilson, and Goldsboro to the coastal plains. Major hydrological features, including the Roanoke River and Neuse River, carve through the region, while significant conservation efforts are evidenced by the Lake Mattamuskeet Wildlife Refuge and Swanquarter Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. This document provides a look at the state's eastern counties before modern coastal development transformed many of these rural and estuarine landscapes.