1929 James River Bridge Corp View of the Chesapeake Bay Entrance

This is an attractive c. 1929 view map of the James River and the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. Coverage extends from Williamsburg and Yorktown at upper left to Cape Charles at upper right; from Suffolk at lower left to Back Bay and Virginia Beach at lower right. The image combines characteristics of a map and a view, presenting towns, cities, and historic sites pictorially, while maintaining the projection and function of a road map. The James River Bridge, opened just one year earlier, is highlighted in red.

The James River Bridge Corp

The James River Bridge (JRB) is a highway lift bridge across the James River, Virginia. When the JRB was completed in 1928, it extended some 4.5 miles - making it the world's longest bridge over water. It was built by the privately owned James River Bridge Corporation, publisher of this map. The corporation was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly to build a system of bridges across the James River, Chuckatuck Creek, and Nansemond River, as well as approach roads. When the JRB was completed, the corporation engaged in a series of promotional efforts - including production of the present map, to encourage bridge-use. Volume never met projections and the James River Bridge Corporation filed for bankruptcy in 1933.

Publication History and Census

This view was issued for various community organizations, highway, and bridge associations. We note several editions and variants, some with steamship and ferry routes, others with highways. This present example, issued shortly after the 1928 opening of the James River Bridge, for the James River Bridge Association, is likely the first edition. Scarce in this edition, more common in later states.