1944 Map of Spesutie

About this map

The Aberdeen Proving Ground dominates the western shoreline of this wartime coastal survey, marking a period of intense military activity along the Chesapeake Bay. To the east, Spesutie Island sits separated from the mainland by the Spesutie Narrows, featuring several named points such as Bear Pt and Sandy Pt. The map captures a landscape of transition, where established maritime landmarks like Turkey Point LH and Fishing Battery Lt guide vessels through the confluence of the Elk River and the Sassafras River. Across the water, the peninsula of Grove Neck shows a detailed network of rural infrastructure, including Grove Neck Road and multiple range lights. This 1944 edition also records an Abandoned Airport and the settlement of Woodcrest, providing a look at the military and domestic geography of Harford and Cecil Counties during the height of the 1940s.