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1952 Map of Lake Wales

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Lake Wales
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

Lake Wales sits at the heart of this early 1950s survey, surrounded by the distinctive citrus-growing geography of Florida’s central ridge. The map highlights a landscape dominated by dozens of water bodies, from the expansive Lake Pierce to smaller named basins like Lake Serena, Lake Effie, and Lake Altamaha. A notable landmark is the prominent Bok Tower atop Iron Mountain, marking one of the highest points in the state.

Rail transport defines the era’s commerce, with the Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Air Line railroads intersecting near the town center. The settlement patterns of Waverly and the exclusive enclave around Mountain Lake are clearly delineated alongside civic infrastructure including the Roosevelt Sch, Polk Ave Sch, and the Municipal Airport, providing a detailed look at the community before the rapid post-war expansion changed the region’s character.