1978 Map of Fort Walton Beach

About this map

Santa Rosa Island stretches along the southern edge of this survey, shielding the Santa Rosa Sound and the extensive waters of Choctawhatchee Bay from the open Gulf of Mexico. The late 1970s landscape is defined by the massive footprint of Eglin Air Force Base, which occupies much of the interior forest and coastal inlets. The corridor of the Intracoastal Waterway links the growing coastal communities of Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Mary Esther. Inland, the map reveals a complex network of bayous including Garnier and Boggy, which provide deep-water access for settlements like Shalimar and Valparaiso. This edition includes detailed bathymetry for the Gulf and the bay, illustrating the underwater topography near Moreno Point and the various sandbars along the coastline. Historic rail infrastructure is represented by the U S Govt RR serving the military installations, while established beach colonies like Grayton Beach and Seagrove Beach dot the eastern shoreline.