1956 Map of Fort Walton Beach

About this map

Eglin Air Force Base dominates this coastal landscape during the mid-1950s, illustrating the significant military footprint on Florida's panhandle. The map captures the rapid development of Fort Walton Beach and surrounding communities like Shalimar and Ocean City as they expanded around the bayous. To the west, Hurlburt Field and small settlements like Mary Esther and Florosa line the northern shore of the Santa Rosa Sound. A Government Railroad tracks inland toward Eglin Village, while the southern edge is defined by the long, narrow stretch of Santa Rosa Island. This survey provides a precise record of the shoreline before modern high-rise development, showing traditional landmarks such as the Oakland Heights Sch and the navigational aids at Lasater Point Light near the Intracoastal Waterway.