1966 Map of Billys Island

About this map

Billys Island stands as a prominent elevation within the heart of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, where the Suwannee River begins its course. This 1960s phototopographic study reveals the complex hydrology of the swamp, from the open waters of Billys Lake and Minnies Lake to the broad expanses of Floyds Prairie and Chase Prairie. The map captures a landscape transitioning from industrial use to federal protection, clearly marking a Dismantled Logging Tram and various logging trails that once pierced the interior. Human history is etched into the terrain at the Lee Cem and an Indian Mound near Floyds Island, while more modern infrastructure like Camp Stephen Foster and the Suwannee Canal indicate the area's shift toward conservation and recreation.