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1919 Map of Smithfield

Name: 1919 Topographic Map of Smithfield
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1929
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1929

About this map

Smithfield and the surrounding Tidewater landscape define this 1918 survey, captured just before modern development transformed the Isle of Wight and Nansemond county border. The map reveals an economy deeply tied to the water, where the Nansemond River and Pagan Creek served as primary arteries for transit and trade. Numerous wharves, such as Whitley Wharf and Ferry Pt Wharf, underscore the importance of the river-and-rail network that connected rural settlements like Chuckatuck and Carrollton to the broader Chesapeake region.

Small-scale industry and community life are evident in the density of named millponds and country churches, including Murphys Millpond and Benns Church. The interior is marked by the expansive Ross Pocoson and Briars Pocoson wetlands, while the southern edge touches the northern reaches of the Dismal Swamp. This survey provides a crucial record of the region's rail infrastructure, featuring the Atlantic and Danville and the Seaboard Air Line during the height of the steam era.