1965 Map of Yorktown

About this map

Colonial National Historical Park preserves the landscape of the Virginia Peninsula where the York and James Rivers nearly meet. This 1965 survey, updated with 1980 purple revisions, captures a region defined by its military significance and deep historical roots. The Surrender Ground and Yorktown National Cemetery mark the site of the 1781 siege, while the expansive Fort Eustis Military Reservation and U S Naval Weapons Station reflect the modern strategic importance of the Tidewater. The Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad cuts through the center, linking established settlements like Lee Hall and Lackey with the growing urban sprawl of Newport News. Reservoirs such as Skiffes Creek Reservoir and Beaverdam Reservoir dominate the interior, illustrating the industrial and municipal water needs of the mid-20th century. For genealogists and local historians, the inclusion of small community landmarks like Rising Sun Ch and Cheesecake Cem provides a detailed look at the rural fabric existing alongside major federal installations.