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1974 Map of Stedman

Name: 1974 Topographic Map of Stedman
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

The South River forms the natural boundary between Cumberland and Sampson counties, anchoring a landscape defined by its blackwater swamps and slow-moving tributaries in the mid-1970s. The settlement of Stedman serves as the local hub along the Seaboard Coast Line railroad, surrounded by rural communities like Bethany Crossroads and Clement. The terrain is marked by distinctive hydrological features such as Bruce Pocosin and the marshy expanses of Jones Swamp and Browns Swamp, which influenced the placement of early industry at Gaines Millpond and Maxwell Millpond.

Genealogists and local historians can find a high density of country churches and family burial grounds, including Sandy Grove Ch, Magnolia Ch, and the Fisher Cem. The map captures the area just as local aviation was serviced by small airfields like Coates Airport and Nunnery Airport. This survey provides a clear view of the transition from the river-bottom swamps to the upland farming communities before significant modern development altered the rural character of the corridor east of Fayetteville.