1972 Map of Content Keys

About this map

The Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge dominates this sub-tropical seascape in Monroe County, Florida, illustrating a complex environment of shallow banks and mangrove islands. In the early 1970s, this area remained largely untouched by development, defined by the shifting shoals of Turtlecrawl Bank and Spanish Banks. Deep-water navigation is clearly delineated by the Intracoastal Waterway and the expansive Big Spanish Channel, which provide vital corridors through the otherwise precarious shallows. The map captures the scattered islands of the Content Keys and Wherry Keys, alongside larger landforms like Howe Key and Annette Key. The presence of the National Key Deer Refuge Boundary emphasizes the conservation status of this region, highlighting the importance of the mangrove habitats such as Howe Key Mangrove for local marine and avian species.