1919 Map of Smithfield

About this map

Smithfield and the surrounding Tidewater landscape are defined by the intricate waterways of the James River and Nansemond River just after the First World War. This survey illustrates a coastal economy transitioning from traditional river traffic to inland rail, with numerous wharves like Godwins Wharf and Whitley Wharf still serving the creeks while the Southern Railway and Virginian Railway cut through the southern lowlands. Local genealogy is well-supported by the density of named rural institutions, including Benns Church, St Johns Church, and the Garner School. The landscape transitions from the developed necks of land into the watery reaches of Ross Pocoson and the northern edge of the Dismal Swamp. The reliance on water power is evident in several inland features such as Prudens Mill and Branch and Jones Millpond, which reflect the early twentieth-century milling industry in Isle of Wight and Nansemond counties.