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1968 Map of Townsend

Name: 1968 Topographic Map of Townsend
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1991
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1991

About this map

The southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula is captured in this survey, showcasing the maritime and military landscape of Northampton County. This coastal stretch along the Chesapeake Bay features a complex network of small settlements and transportation hubs, including the rail-linked Latimer Siding and the agricultural center of Townsend. The presence of the Cape Charles Air Force Sta and the U.S. Naval Communications Sta underscores the strategic importance of this landform during the Cold War era.

Estuarine systems dominate the eastern half of the map, where Magothy Bay and Mockhorn Bay are separated by intricate marshes and channels like The Thorofare. Historical landmarks such as Lower Northampton Ch and several family-named landings, including Cushmans Landing and Walls Landing, reflect a long-standing coastal economy. The transition from the sandy reaches of Kiptopeke Beach to the tidal flats around Smith Island provides a clear view of the shorelines before late 20th-century developments altered the character of the Virginia Capes.