1966 Map of Widewater

About this map

Quantico Marine Corps Schools dominates the northwestern landscape of this survey, illustrating the significant military footprint along the Virginia shoreline during the mid-to-late 20th century. The Richmond Fredericksburg and Potomac railroad serves as the primary terrestrial artery, paralleling the river and connecting small stops and communities like Arkendale and Widewater. This map is particularly valuable for its bathymetric data added in the early 1980s, revealing the underwater contours of the Potomac River and its major inlets at Aquia Creek and Mallows Bay. Land use is a mix of military training grounds and small coastal settlements, including uniquely named points such as Youbedamn Landing and Brent Pt. From the Marine Corps Air Station in the north to the wetlands of Brent Marsh in the south, the map captures a period of transition where maritime tradition met modern military infrastructure.