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1958 Map of Bokeelia

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Bokeelia
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

Bokeelia and Pineland anchor the northern reaches of Pine Island, where the mangrove-lined shores meet the expansive waters of Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound. This 1958 topographic study reveals a landscape defined by its intricate aquatic network, featuring numerous small keys and bayous such as Old Tom Bayou and Water Turkey Bayou. The presence of several pre-modern landmarks, including Howard Mound, Old Ware Mound, and Faulkner Mound, indicates the deep human history of these barrier islands before modern development intensified.

The map details a maritime economy and lifestyle centered around the water, from the Useppa Oyster Bar near Useppa Island to the narrow passages like The Narrows and Boca Grande. Extensive shoals like Jug Creek Shoal and named points like Primo Point delineate the shifting boundaries between the land and the Gulf of Mexico. The layout of early roads in Bokeelia and the presence of an overhead Cable area highlight the infrastructure connecting these relatively isolated island communities in the mid-20th century.