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1973 Map of Laurel

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of Laurel
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1975
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1975

About this map

Casey Key and the barrier islands of Sarasota County define this coastal landscape as it appeared in the early 1970s. The inland area shows a transition from the natural preserve of Oscar Scherer State Park to the developing residential hubs of Osprey, Laurel, and Nokomis. The Tamiami Trail and the Seaboard Coast Line railroad parallel the coast, serving as the primary north-south corridors for travel and commerce.

Along the sheltered waters of Little Sarasota Bay and Blackburn Bay, marine activity is evident through markers for the Intracoastal Waterway and various boat ramps. Further inland, the drainage patterns of Cow Pen Slough Canal and several creeks like Shakett Creek and Fox Creek cut through a landscape dotted with sandpits and the Mission Valley Country Club. Cultural markers of the era include a Drive-in Theater and numerous trailer parks, reflecting the region's mid-century growth as a destination for seasonal and permanent residents.