1938 Map of Mary Esther

About this map

Choctawhatchee Bay and the narrow barrier of Santa Rosa Island anchor this mid-1930s survey of the Florida panhandle. The map captures a maritime landscape transitioning toward a military and tourist presence, evidenced by the Moreno Point Military Reservation and the Santa Rosa Island National Monument. Small coastal settlements like Fort Walton and Mary Esther sit along the Santa Rosa Sound, while further inland, the pine forests are marked by fire watch infrastructure including the Horse Branch BM Lookout Tower 102 and Pinchot Lookout Tower BM 83. Aviation is already taking hold at Valparaiso Landing Field and Lasater Fld. The northern interior is dominated by a complex network of bayous and creeks, such as Garnier Bayou and Alligator Cr, which fed the local water-based economy before the heavy expansion of the Coast Highway.