1953 Map of Ashton

About this map

Ashton sits at the northwestern edge of a landscape defined by an extensive system of interconnected water bodies and marshlands in central Florida. This environment is anchored by Alligator Lake, Lake Gentry, and Lake Lizzie, which are linked through a complex drainage pattern including Canoe Creek. The map documents a period of early development, noting a Trailer Park and a Gaging Station amidst the sprawling lowlands. The terrain is characterized by numerous named islands such as Scrub Island, Sweet Bay Island, and Berl Island that rise above the surrounding wetlands. This 1953 survey, which incorporates 1970 photorevisions, illustrates the transition of the region from a purely rural swamp environment, including the Jug Creek Swamp and Big Bend Swamp, toward a landscape increasingly influenced by human infrastructure and settlement patterns.