1970 Map of Belle Glade

About this map

Lake Okeechobee defines the western edge of this landscape, where the Rim Dike separates the open water from the highly engineered agricultural grid of Palm Beach County. The 1970s and early 1980s saw significant institutional and industrial development around Belle Glade and South Bay, including the Glades Correctional Institution and the Everglades Experiment Station. The map illustrates a complex water management system with the Hillsboro Canal and North New River Canal cutting through the muck lands. Local social and educational history is preserved through the locations of the Lake Shore High Sch, Rosenwald Sch, and the Drive-In Theater, reflecting the mid-century community structure of the region. Distinctive features like Kreamer Island and Torry Island sit just offshore, highlighting the transition from lake to reclaimed farmland.