{"product_id":"old-map-of-solomons-maryland-by-usgs-1892-patuxent-river-chesapeake-bay","title":"Old Map of Solomons, Maryland by USGS, 1892 – Patuxent River \u0026 Chesapeake Bay","description":"\u003cp\u003ePublished in 1892 by the United States Geological Survey, “Drum Point” is a finely observed topographical portrait of southern Maryland where the Patuxent River opens into the broad waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Centered on Solomons and the surrounding reaches of Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties, the map captures a coastal landscape defined by tidal rivers, wooded peninsulas, low ridges, farms, roads, and scattered settlements. At a scale of 1:62,500, it offers both regional breadth and local detail, revealing the geography of a place whose fortunes were closely tied to water. The muted palette and elegant contour work are characteristic of late nineteenth-century USGS cartography, balancing scientific precision with a quiet visual grace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe United States Geological Survey, founded in 1879, became one of the great cartographic institutions of the modern era, tasked with measuring, classifying, and depicting the nation’s varied terrain. Maps such as “Drum Point” were not merely navigational aids; they were instruments of development, conservation, engineering, and governance. By recording elevations, drainage, roads, shorelines, and settlements, the USGS created a durable geographical record of a rapidly changing country. In this Maryland sheet, the agency’s disciplined style is especially well suited to the Chesapeake landscape, where subtle changes in elevation and the intricacies of tidal water demand careful observation. The result is a map that feels both practical and contemplative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSolomons, shown near the meeting of the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay, occupies a position of exceptional maritime importance. Known historically as Solomon’s Island, the community developed around boatbuilding, fishing, oyster harvesting, and river trade, all supported by its sheltered waters and access to the bay. The map places Solomons within a wider network of peninsulas, coves, points, and waterways, including Drum Point, Cove Point, Sandy Point, Hallowing Point, and the lower Patuxent. These names evoke a coastal world shaped by navigation and local knowledge, where land and water interlock in complex patterns. The charted roads and settlements hint at a society connected as much by creeks and bays as by overland routes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe surrounding geography is rich with Chesapeake character. Calvert County’s western shore of the bay appears as a sequence of projecting points and embayed inlets, while across the water and river lie St. Mary’s County, Smith Point, Taylor’s Island, Dents Island, and the St. Marys River region. The topography is gentle but far from featureless: contour lines trace rolling uplands, small valleys, and the gradual descent toward tidal marshes and shorelines. The Patuxent River, broad and sinuous, dominates the composition, acting as both boundary and artery. Its confluence with the Chesapeake Bay marks a zone of ecological abundance, where brackish waters, wetlands, fisheries, and maritime routes have long sustained human settlement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a late nineteenth-century document, “Drum Point” offers a compelling glimpse of Maryland before the transformations of modern highways, suburban expansion, and twentieth-century coastal development. Roads are spare, settlements modest, and the landscape remains strongly organized around waterways, farms, and natural contours. For historians, collectors, and admirers of Chesapeake geography, the map preserves a moment when Solomons and its neighboring communities were still deeply embedded in a maritime economy. Its understated design rewards close reading: every creek, point, contour, and road contributes to a larger story of land use, navigation, and regional identity. The map is both a scientific survey and an evocative record of the lower Patuxent at a formative time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCities, towns and places on this map\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolomons, MD\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCalvert County, MD\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePoint of Rocks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePatuxent River\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChesapeake Bay\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTaylor's Island\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmith Point\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSt. Mary's County, MD\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDents Island\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHallowing Point\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSandy Point\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLower Patuxent River\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCove Point\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolomon's Island\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSt. Marys River\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistorical context \u0026amp; cartographic details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePublished in 1892 by the US Geological Survey.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistorical 1:62,500 topographical map showing Solomons, Maryland and the surrounding area.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe US Geological Survey is known for producing detailed topographic maps used in land use planning and natural resource management.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolomons is situated at the confluence of the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay, an area important for maritime trade and ecology.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe map uses a muted, soft color palette typical of the period.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContour lines indicate elevation changes and landform details.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShows hills, water bodies, roads, settlements, and other natural and human-made landscape features.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides insight into the geographical and infrastructural development of the area in the late 19th century.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eServes as a reference for changes in land use and urbanization over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLooking for a particular place?\u003c\/strong\u003e Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eask our workshop to check before you order\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDetailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eget in touch\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/pages\/map-personalisation\"\u003eSee personalised map examples\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEvery piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/collections\/all-old-vintage-antique-maps\"\u003erare old and vintage maps\u003c\/a\u003e to discover another place, period or style.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58792682062208,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58792682094976,"sku":null,"price":146.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58792682127744,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Map","offer_id":58792682160512,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58792682193280,"sku":null,"price":146.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed canvas 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