1919 Map of Suffolk

About this map

The Nansemond River headwaters and the western fringes of the Dismal Swamp dominate this landscape, which centers on the industrial and rail hub of Suffolk. At this time, the city is a critical junction for six major lines, including the Virginian Railway, Seaboard Air Line, and the Norfolk and Western, reflecting its importance as a distribution center for the region's timber and agricultural products. To the east, the Jericho Canal and Washington Ditch penetrate the swamp, while the western reaches are defined by a series of low-lying wetlands known as pocosons, including Daughtrey Pocoson and Raby Pocoson. The rural character of the outlying area is evidenced by numerous small country churches like Zion Church and specialized schoolhouses such as Bethlehem School and Baines Hill School, providing a detailed look at the dispersed settlement patterns before mid-century modernization.