1956 Map of Cockroach Bay

About this map

Big Cockroach Mound and the intricate coastal wetlands of Cockroach Bay dominate this mid-century topographic profile. The landscape transitions from the deep open waters of Tampa Bay through a complex network of mangrove-lined passages such as Gooseneck Pass and Hole in the Wall Pass. On the landward side, the Seaboard rail line and the Coast Line road define the transportation corridor near the Hillsborough-Manatee county line. Large industrial footprints and dredging activity are evident in the designated spoil areas and the Anchorage for Explosives marked offshore. Inland development is sparse, with small creek systems like Curiosity Creek and Cockroach Creek draining the flatlands toward Piney Point and Moody Point, reflecting the region's character before the intensive residential expansion of later decades.