1958 Map of Corkscrew NW

About this map

Corkscrew Swamp dominates the southern landscape of this 1958 topographic survey, marking a significant ecological expanse across the Lee and Collier County line. The map highlights the early boundaries of the Sanctuary, a preserved wetland area that provides critical habitat for native Florida wildlife. The terrain is characterized by a complex network of wetlands and hammocks, including Panther Island, interspersed with a few agricultural clearings and a Flowing Well. Mapping here was largely completed via aerial photography and planetable surveys, revealing the intricate water patterns and unimproved dirt roads that defined the interior of Southwest Florida before mid-century development transformed the region. The lack of surveyed land lines in several townships reflects the area's transition from an inaccessible wilderness to a managed wilderness preserve.