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1966 Map of Emeralda Island

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of Emeralda Island
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1979
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1979

About this map

Emeralda Island sits at the heart of this mid-1960s survey, surrounded by the intricate wetlands and marshes of the Oklawaha River system and Lake Griffin. The landscape is a mosaic of hammocks—elevated islands of vegetation such as Bull Hammock and Buck Hammock—interspersed with pumping stations that suggest the ongoing management of this water-dominated terrain. Near the northern boundary, the Ocala National Forest provides a contrast of more stable ground, featuring landmarks like a Lookout Tower and Big Bass Lake.

Local history is preserved in the placement of Starkes Ferry on the river and the settlement of Lisbon to the southeast. Recreational and institutional life is evident through the Florida Baptist Retreat near Lake Yale and various campsites like Big Trees Campsites. The map also captures infrastructure details including a Landing Strip and several claypits, reflecting the local economy and land use prior to the rapid developments of the late 20th century.