Loading map...

1958 Map of Orlando

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Orlando
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

Orlando serves as the central hub of this mid-century portrait of Central Florida, a landscape defined by an immense network of freshwater basins and a growing military presence. To the east, the Atlantic coast features the critical installations of Patrick Air Force Base and the prominent geography of Cape Canaveral, while the interior is dominated by Lake Apoka and the sprawling Ocala National Forest. The region's mid-century economy and infrastructure are visible through the convergence of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad and Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, alongside the industrial presence of a Phosphate Mine near Lakeland.

Coastal developments like Cocoa Beach and Melbourne contrast with the established agricultural and rail centers of Sanford and Kissimmee. Significant military aviation assets, including Pinecastle Air Force Base and the Sanford Naval Air Station, underscore the area's strategic importance during the 1950s. This survey details the complex waterways of the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon, providing a comprehensive look at the Florida peninsula before the arrival of major modern theme parks.