1956 Map of Murdock NE

About this map

Hydrology and land boundaries define this corner of Southwest Florida during the mid-1950s. The landscape is dominated by a complex network of wetlands and seasonal drainages, including Bud Slough, Wildcat Slough, and Buzzard Roost Branch. Numerous instances of Flowing Wells are mapped throughout the territory, indicating the vital importance of groundwater access for the region's agricultural or ranching operations during this era. An Old Railroad Grade cuts diagonally through the southern and western sections of the map, marking a former industrial corridor through the marshy terrain. This survey provides a precise look at the shifting county lines where Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties meet, documenting the rural character of the area before the expansion of modern infrastructure and residential developments transformed the Gulf Coast hinterlands.