1958 Map of Fort Myers Beach

About this map

Estero Island serves as the focal point for this coastal survey, showcasing the mid-century development of Fort Myers Beach alongside its complex mangrove and bay ecosystems. The map documents a period of significant growth, with purple-tinted urban extensions spreading across San Carlos Island and the primary barrier island. These developments contrast with the preserved waters of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve, which protects a labyrinth of tidal features including Hell Peckney Bay and Julies Island. To the north, the landscape transitions from the Bunch Beach shoreline toward Truckland, while an old Railroad Grade hints at earlier transportation corridors. The bathymetric data reveals the shifting seafloor of the Gulf of Mexico and critical maritime passages such as Matanzas Pass and Big Carlos Pass that define the navigation of the Lee County coast.