1956 Map of Arsenicker Keys

About this map

Homestead Air Force Base dominates the inland corner of this coastal survey, where the rigid grid of South Florida’s agricultural and military infrastructure meets the untamed mangrove shoreline. The map documents a pivotal transition in the mid-1950s, highlighting the industrial footprint of the Power Plant at Turkey Point and the complex drainage network of the Military Canal, Mowry Canal, and North Canal. These man-made channels cut through the landscape toward Biscayne Bay, illustrating the engineering efforts to manage the wetlands. Along the coast, the recreational grounds of Homestead Bayfront Park contrast with the primitive terrain of Turtle Point and the scatter of islands including West Arsenicker Key and Arsenicker Key. Offshore, the Intracoastal Waterway follows the deep water east of Spoil Banks, marking the vital maritime corridor of the era.