1944 Map of Lower Myakka Lake

About this map

Myakka River State Park dominates this mid-century landscape, capturing the preserved wetlands and hammocks of Sarasota and Manatee counties during World War II. The Myakka River winds through the region, widening into Lower Myakka Lake and creating unique features like the Deep Hole and Vanderipe Slough. The presence of Harris Camp, Fortners Camp, and Shiney Town along the river suggests localized fishing or recreational settlements within the river's floodplains. While much of the area remained undeveloped conservation land, the Atlantic Coast Line railroad skirts the northern boundary, providing a vital transportation link through the Florida interior. This survey, compiled from 1942 aerial photography, documents the original boundaries and hydrological patterns of one of Florida’s oldest state parks before significant modern alterations.