1980 Map of Spicer Bay

About this map

The coastal waters of Onslow County are captured in this 1980 infrared orthophotoquad, showing the intricate relationship between the mainland and the barrier islands. Thomas Landing serves as a primary reference point for the maritime landscape, overlooking the expansive waters of Stump Sound. The map highlights the complex network of inlets and sheltered waters including Spicer Bay and Everett Bay, which are separated from the Atlantic Ocean by thin strips of sand and marsh. This imagery provides a clear view of the undeveloped character of Ashe Island and the surrounding wetlands before modern development intensified. The infrared photography specifically emphasizes the contrast between the dense vegetation of the coastal forests and the tidal flats that define this stretch of the North Carolina shoreline.