1956 Map of Fort Pierce

About this map

Lake Okeechobee and the expansive interior wetlands define the geography of South-Central Florida in this mid-century survey. The landscape is marked by a transition from the agricultural and citrus-growing hubs of Bartow, Lake Wales, and Sebring toward the coastal developments of the Indian River lagoon. Significant military footprints are evident in the Avon Park Bombing Range and specialized installations like the Valkaria Missile Tracking Station (USAF), reflecting the Cold War era's influence on the region. Transportation networks are seen in their formative stages for modern tourism, with the Sunshine State Parkway and Florida Turnpike cutting through the cattle country and palmetto flats. Along the coast, the barrier islands such as Hutchinson Island and Jupiter Island are mapped alongside the vital St Lucie Canal, which links the interior waters to the Atlantic Ocean.