1973 Map of Bird Keys

About this map

Siesta Key and Casey Key dominate this coastal survey, which documents the barrier island geography and shoreline of Sarasota County in the early 1970s. The map illustrates the narrow separation of Little Sarasota Bay from the Gulf of Mexico, connected by the natural breach at Midnight Pass. Along the shore, residential developments such as Coral Cove and White Beach are established, while the Intracoastal Waterway cuts a protected passage behind the keys. Notable coastal features include the rocky outcrop at Point O'Rocks and the sheltered waters of Heron Lagoon. The interior shows the settlement of Vamo and the scattered Bird Keys within the bay, providing a detailed record of the region's navigable channels and tidal flats before further modern development altered the coastal dynamics.