1958 Map of Captiva

About this map

Captiva Island and North Captiva Island dominate this late 1950s coastal survey, revealing the delicate geography of Lee County before decades of intense development. The map documents the shifting barrier island landscape, specifically the separation of the islands at Red Fish Pass and the protected waters of Safety Harbor. Local landmarks such as the Chapel by the Sea and the Flowing Well provide touchstones for the small settlement at Captiva. To the east, the sprawling waters of Pine Island Sound are dotted with numerous small keys, including Buck Key and Josslyn Island. The presence of the Big Bird Rookery near Benedict Key highlights the area's significance as a natural sanctuary, while Roosevelt Channel and Buck Key Channel illustrate the vital maritime corridors that defined island life during this era.