1956 Map of Miami

About this map

The Everglades dominate this mid-century landscape, illustrating the contrast between the expanding urban corridors of Dade County and the sprawling protected wilderness of Everglades National Park. To the east, the metropolitan sprawl from Hialeah and Coral Gables down to Homestead is clearly defined, showing the residential and commercial density supported by the Florida East Coast railway and the Tamiami Trail. Outside the coastal ridge, the map reveals a remote network of ranger stations, such as the Royal Palm Ranger Station and Cape Sable Ranger Station, alongside small outposts like Everglades City and Chokoloskee. The map documents the intricate canal systems like the Tamiami Canal and Miami Canal, which were essential for managing water across the limestone wetlands, while the coastline is marked by historic maritime markers including Fowey Rocks Lighthouse and the scattered keys of the Ten Thousand Islands.