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1951 Map of Washington West

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Washington West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1951
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1951

About this map

The White House and the Capitol anchor this mid-century portrait of the nation's capital, showing a city in the midst of its post-war expansion. The dense urban corridors of Georgetown and Petworth contrast with the emerging suburban character of neighborhoods like Chevy Chase and Silver Spring across the Maryland line. In Virginia, the street grids of Clarendon and Cherrydale indicate the rapid growth of Arlington County.

Strategic land use is evident in the ring of defense sites including Fort Stevens and Fort Myer, alongside the extensive greenspace of Rock Creek Park. The map also captures the academic and institutional landscape of the era, from the Bureau of Standards to prominent campuses such as Howard University and American University. Along the Potomac River, landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial and The Three Sisters define the capital's iconic waterfront.