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1956 Map of Beacon Beach

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Beacon Beach
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

Shell Island stretches across the center of this coastal survey, acting as a natural barrier between the open Gulf of Mexico and the sheltered waters of St Andrew Bay. The landscape is dominated by the military presence of Tyndall Air Force Base, which spans from Lands End across the mainland, encompassing several coastal settlements and landmarks. Small bayside communities such as Cromanton and Beacon Beach appear alongside specialized locations like Camp Merrill.

Coastal geography is highly detailed, featuring numerous inlets and points including Smack Bayou, Pearl Bayou, and Spanish Shanty Point. On the western edge of the bay entrance, St Andrews State Park preserves the natural shoreline. For those researching local family history, the map includes the location of Marywood Cem near the eastern base of the peninsula, providing a specific geographic anchor for mid-century genealogy.