1914 Map of Wicomico

About this map

The Wicomico River serves as the central artery for this Southern Maryland landscape, forming the boundary between Charles and St. Mary’s counties. At the time of this early 20th-century survey, the regional economy relied heavily on water-borne transport, evidenced by numerous landings like Wilkerson Wharf, Lancaster Wharf, and Bushwood Wharf. The rail network provided critical inland connections, with the Philadelphia Baltimore and Washington R. R. cutting through the western terrain near Faulkner, while the W. P. and C. R. R. serves the northern corridor through Charlotte Hall. Inland, the expansive Zekiah Swamp and Gilbert Swamp dominate the northern drainage, giving way to a network of established tobacco-era settlements such as Newmarket, Allens Fresh, and Chaptico. Along the banks of the Potomac River, the map identifies the Ludlow Ferry crossing and the seaside character of Colonial Beach on the Virginia shore.