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1953 Map of Shepherdstown

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Shepherdstown
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1961
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1961

About this map

Shepherdstown serves as the focal point of this mid-century survey, situated at a dramatic meander where the Potomac River divides West Virginia from Maryland. The town's academic and civic character is evident through the campus of Shepherd College and the local High School, while its connection across the water is maintained by the James Rumsey Bridge. Along the Maryland shore, the historical infrastructure of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal parallels the river, passing near landmarks like Millers Sawmill and the settlement of Sharpsburg.

Transportation networks define the landscape, with the Norfolk and Western railway cutting through the terrain to serve Antietam Station. Smaller rural communities and landmarks like Moler Crossroads, Middleway, and Marvin Chapel provide essential points of reference for genealogists tracing family roots in Jefferson and Berkeley Counties. The winding river corridor is further detailed with specific features such as Horseshoe Bend, Shepherds Island, and Dam No. 4, reflecting the complex river-and-rail economy of the era.