1973 Map of Bee Ridge

About this map

Sarasota and its eastern suburbs are shown during a period of significant growth, with purple revision tints marking the expansion of residential tracts into former agricultural lands. The landscape is structured by a grid of major thoroughfares like Bee Ridge Road and Bahia Vista Street, which connect established communities like Fruitville and Sunnyland. Local history and genealogy are anchored by the Palms Memorial Park Gardens (Cemetery) and a County Cem, while the cultural life of the early 1970s is reflected in landmarks such as the Drive-in Theater and the McIntosh Student Center. Water management is evident through the winding course of Philippe Creek and the southern drainage of Cow Pen Slough. Industrial and recreational interests coexist, from the CSX rail line and various sand and gravel pits to the several golf courses that punctuate the developing suburban landscape.