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1957 Map of Washington

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Washington
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

Washington and its mid-century suburban expansion anchor this regional study, which tracks the transition from the densely developed capital core to the agricultural and maritime landscapes of the Chesapeake Bay. The map highlights the significant federal footprint in the region, ranging from Arlington National Cemetery and Fort Belvoir to the specialized facilities of the US Naval Weapons Laboratory and NAS Patuxent River.

Evidence of the area's colonial roots is preserved at the George Washington Birthplace National Monument along the Potomac River. To the west, the topography rises toward the Blue Ridge and Bull Run Mountains, while the Eastern Shore is defined by a labyrinth of marshes and islands, including the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and Kent Island. The rail infrastructure of the Penn Central and Southern Ry connects these disparate environments, illustrating the transport networks that shaped the Alexandria and Annapolis corridors during this era.