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1949 Map of Gold Head Branch

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Gold Head Branch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

Gold Head Branch State Park centers this landscape in the late 1940s, a region defined by a dense cluster of solution-depression lakes and sinkholes. The terrain is marked by significant hydrological features including Sand Hill Lake, Lake Johnson, and the namesake Gold Head Branch. The presence of the Southern railroad line and the Mobile Target Range suggests a mix of transport utility and military land use common in this part of Florida during the mid-century period.

Smaller landmarks like Cadero Ch and various towers provide evidence of rural community life and infrastructure. The map reveals the intricate network of water bodies such as Smith Lake, Sheelar Lake, and Devils Den, illustrating the complex drainage patterns and the transition between Clay and Putnam counties. Long-established features like Oldfield Pond and Swindle Lake offer touchpoints for local historians studying the natural and cultural geography of the area before modern development.