1947 Map of St James

About this map

Smithtown Bay defines the northern coastline of this Suffolk County landscape during the late 1940s, where the tidal estuaries of the Nissequogue River and Stony Brook Harbor meet the Long Island Sound. The map documents a period of significant institutional presence, notably the sprawling grounds of the Kings Park State Hospital for the Insane and the St Johnland Childrens Home near the western boundary. Inland, the village of St. James serves as a hub for the Long Island Railroad, which facilitates movement between residential areas like Flower Field and the coastal settlements. The intricate network of tidal channels, such as Porpoise Channel and West Meadow Creek, illustrates a shoreline shaped by sandbars and salt marshes, providing a detailed view of the natural and man-made features before the suburban expansion of the mid-20th century.