2021 Map of Childs

About this map

Lake Wales Ridge dominates the central topography of this Highlands County region, where the high ground transitions into the wetlands and citrus groves of south-central Florida. The settlement of Childs sits at a strategic junction near Lake Annie, serving as a gateway to the Archbold biological research area. Further south, the map documents the area of Hicoria, a name tied to the region's historical timber and turpentine industries. The landscape is a complex mosaic of sandy uplands and low-lying water bodies, including Lake Placid and Grassy Lake in the north, and the drainage of Hickory Branch leading toward Bay Swamp. This 2021 survey details the modern road network, from Old State Hwy 8 to rural tracks like Womble Rd, illustrating how contemporary land use and conservation efforts interface with early 20th-century settlement patterns.