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1942 Map of Wilmington

Name: 1942 Topographic Map of Wilmington
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1942
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1942

About this map

The city of Wilmington serves as the focal point of this coastal survey, showing a landscape defined by the confluence of the Northeast Cape Fear River and the Cape Fear River. To the east, the Inland Waterway separates the mainland from the emerging developments of Wrightsville Beach and the sound-side communities of Airlee and Seagate. This era of growth is visible in the residential layout of Sunset Park and Oleander, contrasting with the industrial and maritime infrastructure along the riverfront, including the U.S. Custom House, the Armory, and various rail lines of the A.C.L. R.R.

Southward towards the coast, the map documents significant cultural landmarks and wartime activity. Along the Carolina Beach Boulevard, the settlement at Seabreeze and the Army Recreation Area near Wilmington Beach highlight the region's mid-century recreational identity. Historical depth is provided by the Orton Church Cupola and the Ruins Anderson Landing, while the Ethyl Dow Reservoir at Kure Beach points to the specialized industrial needs of the 1940s.