1948 Map of Topsail

About this map

Camp Davis and the surrounding coastal corridor of Pender County are captured here just after the second World War, during a period of transition for this shoreline landscape. The map reveals an intricate network of small waterfront settlements and landings, such as Sears Landing, Nixon Landing, and Sidbury Landing, which defined the local economy before the modern era of beach development. Inland, the massive Holly Shelter Swamp dominates the northwest, its wetlands drained by Thicket Swamp and Trumpeter Swamp. The transportation spine of the region is anchored by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, which runs parallel to the Intracoastal Waterway, connecting hubs like Holly Ridge and Hampstead. Notable military footprints include the CCC Camp and the established Military Boundary, reflecting the strategic importance of this stretch of the Atlantic coast during the 1940s.