1980 Map of Wilmington

About this map

Wilmington anchors this color infrared orthophotograph, captured in 1980 by the U.S. Geological Survey. The imagery emphasizes the complex hydrologic environment where the Cape Fear River and Brunswick River converge. This coastal landscape is defined by the deep water channels of the main rivers and a dense network of smaller drainages, including Town Creek and Barnards Creek. The infrared technology provides exceptional clarity regarding the vegetation and development patterns along the riverbanks, showing the industrial and residential footprint of the city as it existed in the early 1980s.