National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Fort Raleigh National Historic SiteFirst Map of Roanoke Island
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
The White-Debry Map of Virginia
In 1590 Theodor De Bry published Part I of his America, which included several of his engravings based on drawings of the New World by John White. Notable among them is a map of the east coast of North America from the lower Chesapeake Bay south past Cape Lookout. Three probable sources of this collaborative map are extant: a crude pen-and ink map, perhaps by Ralph Lane, and two of an unknown number of White's detailed watercolor sketch maps — one, on a large scale, covering much the same area as the engraving; the other, on a small scale, showing southeastern North America and part of the West Indies.

Some features unique to the White-De Bry are corrections; others are errors; still others may be based on sketch maps now lost.

White De Bry Map - Fort Raleigh National Historic Site 
click image for close up and map details

John White's map of Roanoke Island  

Did You Know?
Roanoke Island was meant to be a brief stop for the 1587 Colonists, but was never planned to be their new home. Their final destination was meant to be the Chesapeake Bay, two days sail further north.

Last Updated: September 06, 2007 at 10:30 EST