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1953 Map of Wanchese

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Wanchese
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

Roanoke Island is the centerpiece of this mid-century maritime study, focused on the southern tip where the village of Wanchese meets the convergence of the Croatan Sound and Pamlico Sound. The map reveals a community deeply integrated with the water, showing the intricate network of inlets and landings including Oyster Creek, Broad Creek, and the Cut Through. Local life is anchored at the intersection of Route 345, where Bethany Ch and a local Cem are situated near the small settlement of Baumtown.

A notable historical landmark, the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, sits offshore within the sound, marking the vital navigation channel with a Project Depth of 10 Feet. To the west, the expansive Roanoke Marsh creates a stark buffer against the mainland, while the eastern shoreline reflects the shifting coastal geography of Nags Head and Kennekeet. This survey, compiled from 1949 aerial photography and 1950s field checks, documents the Outer Banks before the significant modern development of later decades.