1949 Map of Melbourne West

About this map

Eau Gallie and Melbourne anchor this coastal Florida landscape during a period of rapid mid-century expansion along the Florida East Coast railway. The map captures a complex network of hydrological engineering, including the Melbourne Tillman Canal and extensive spoil banks, illustrating the effort to reclaim and manage the wetlands between the St Johns River and the Atlantic. This 1949 survey, later revised to reflect urban growth, highlights the emergence of planned communities like Melbourne Village and West Melbourne alongside specialized facilities such as the Air Force Eastern Test Range (Malabar Annex). From the northern reaches of Lake Washington down to the residential developments of Palm Bay, the map documents a transition from swampy wildland to a structured aerospace and commuter corridor. Local landmarks like the Melbourne Regional Airport and the State Hospital provide significant points of interest for historical and genealogical research.