1958 Map of Captiva

About this map

Barrier islands and protected waterways define this late-1950s coastal survey of Lee County, where Captiva Island and North Captiva Island are separated by the narrow Red Fish Pass. The small settlement of Captiva is centered around the historic Chapel by the Sea, which stands as a landmark of community life before the era of intensive development. To the east, the waters of Pine Island Sound are dotted with numerous keys and rookeries, including Josslyn Island and Benedict Key. The landscape is a network of shallow bayous and channels, such as Chatwick Bayou and Roosevelt Channel, which facilitated local navigation and fishing. This survey reveals the area in a state of relative isolation, accessible primarily by water via routes like Captiva Pass and Buck Key Channel, predating the modern road networks that would later connect these islands.