1957 Map of Washington

About this map

Shenandoah National Park and the rugged peaks of Big Cobbler Mtn overlook the western reaches of this mid-century landscape. The map details the complex geography of the Tidewater region, where the Potomac River and Rappahannock River flow toward the expansive Chesapeake Bay. Major infrastructure including the Pentagon and Mount Vernon stand alongside a massive network of military and federal installations like the Quantico Marine Corps Base and the Dahlgren Naval Weapons Center. Along the eastern shore, the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and numerous islands such as Kent Island and the Hooper Islands reflect the era's conservation and coastal character. Extensive rail networks, including the Southern Ry and the Richmond Fredericksburg & Potomac RR, connect historic hubs like Alexandria, Annapolis, and Fredericksburg.