1957 Map of Wilmington

About this map

Philadelphia and Wilmington anchor this mid-century regional overview, documenting the post-war industrial and suburban expansion across the Delaware Valley. The transport network of the mid-1950s is clearly visible, featuring the recently constructed New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway facilitating movement toward the shore. In the southern interior, the map shows the transition from the dense urban corridors of Camden and Chester to the agricultural and glass-manufacturing landscapes around Vineland and Millville. Along the coast, the barrier island communities from Atlantic City south to Wildwood are mapped in detail, showing their relationship to the Atlantic Ocean and protected marshes. Federal and military presence is prominent, with the Fort Dix Military Reservation and the Dover Air Force Base established as major regional landmarks during this era of defense-driven growth.