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1956 Map of Gardner

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Gardner
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

The Peace River carves a winding path through the center of this 1950s landscape, serving as the primary drainage for numerous tributaries like Limestone Creek and Charlie Creek. In this era, the agricultural and rural character of the region is anchored by small settlements positioned along the Atlantic Coast Line railroad. These rail-oriented communities, including Gardner, Brownville, and Cubitis, illustrate the mid-century dependence on rail transport for moving citrus and cattle from the Florida interior.

The terrain is defined by a complex network of intermittent streams and wet prairies, where names like Lake Slough and Sand Gully hint at the seasonal hydrology of the region. Distinctive landmarks such as the Flowing Well west of the river and a Radio Tower near the Hardee-De Soto county line provide specific points of reference for local historians. This survey captures a moment before modern development significantly altered the drainage patterns and land use of the central Florida citrus belt.