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1955 Map of Baird

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Baird
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1987
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1987

About this map

Strip mining operations dominate this central Florida landscape, revealing a period of significant industrial transition as phosphate extraction reshaped the terrain. The map meticulously documents the contrast between active extraction zones and a Reclaimed Strip Mine, reflecting early attempts at land restoration. At the center of this industrial activity lies the small settlement of Baird, which serves as a focal point amidst the sprawling pits and waste piles.

Natural drainage persists through the modified earth, with Hookers Prairie and Whidden Creek weaving through the northern sections, while Little Payne Creek flows across the southern boundary near the Polk Co Hardee Co line. Local spiritual life is anchored by Welcome Ch and Payne Creek Ch, providing a glimpse into the rural community that existed alongside the mines. The presence of the Pierce Lookout Tower and an Old Railroad Grade further suggests a landscape formerly tied to timber and earlier transportation networks before the intensive mining era.