1954 Map of Chassahowitzka Bay

About this map

The Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge dominates this coastal survey, where the freshwater of the Chassahowitzka River meets the salt of the Gulf of Mexico. This labyrinthine landscape is defined by a vast network of tidal creeks and marshes, including the Chassahowitzka Swamp and intricate waterways like Seven Cabbage Cutoff and Pumpkin Creek. The map documents a pristine ecological frontier before significant modern coastal development, detailing numerous small islands such as Johns Island, Colvalla Key, and Saddle Key. Offshore, the maritime environment is marked by the Chassahowitzka Reefs and navigational aids like a daybeacon, illustrating the transition from the shallow Homosassa Bay to the open gulf. This mid-century survey captures the complex hydrology of the Citrus and Hernando county line, providing a record of the natural shoreline and shoals of Chassahowitzka Bay during the 1950s.