1960 Map of Branchborough

About this map

The Withlacoochee River and Hillsborough River converge in this low-lying region of Central Florida, where the borders of Pasco, Polk, and Sumter counties meet. In the early 1960s, the landscape was a mosaic of dense wetlands like Cross Creek Swamp and elevated dry ground such as Thrasher Ridges. Settlement was sparse, centered around small communities like Branchborough, which is anchored by the Branchborough Ch, and the evocative Port Lonesome located near the riverbanks. The transportation network of the era relied on a mix of unpaved paths and local crossings, including Brown Bridge and Trial Ford Bridge. Evidence of previous industrial activity is visible in the form of an Old R R Grade and an Old Railroad Grade cutting through the cypress and pine, while local recreation is noted at the uniquely named Stanley Fish Hole.