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1948 Map of Wilmington

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Wilmington
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1948
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1948

About this map

The port city of Wilmington serves as the hub of this mid-century coastal survey, showing the intricate relationship between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic shore. The urban core is detailed with landmarks like Union Station, the Customs House, and a Masonic temple, while residential growth extends into Sunset Park and Oleander. To the east, the Inland Waterway carves through the coastal sounds, separating the mainland from barrier island developments at Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach.

Significant historical sites are noted along the riverbanks, including the Ruins Anderson Landing and the Orton Church Cupola in Smithville Township. The landscape is a mix of industrial riverfronts, such as the PH Highest Stack, and seasonal coastal communities like Seabreeze and Kure Beach. The presence of the Army Recreation Area and the Ethyl Dow Reservoir reflects the federal and industrial infrastructure established by the late 1940s.