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1944 Map of Round Bay

Name: 1944 Topographic Map of Round Bay
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1944
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

The Severn River and Magothy River define the intricate shoreline of Anne Arundel County during the mid-1940s, a period when the tidal creeks and peninsulas were home to numerous distinct residential and recreational settlements. The Baltimore and Annapolis RR cuts a straight path through the landscape, connecting communities like Severna Park, Robinson, and Earleigh Heights. These rail-side settlements contrast with the water-oriented clusters at Herald Harbor, Manhattan Beach, and Beachwood Grove, reflecting the region's development as both a transportation corridor and a waterfront retreat.

Institutional and private estates occupy significant portions of the interior, most notably the Crownsville State Hospital and its associated Water Tower. Historic landholdings such as Belvoir Manor and Carrollton Manor provide a glimpse into the older manorial roots of the area, while the network of modern roads like the Governor Ritchie Highway signals the shifting focus toward automobile travel. The map captures the complex drainage of the Chesapeake bay, with labeled features like Little Round Bay, Sullivan Cove, and Cattail Creek illustrating the diverse aquatic geography that shaped local life.