1951 Map of Orsino

About this map

Merritt Island is depicted here at a pivotal moment in the early 1950s, showing a landscape defined by an intricate network of waterways before modern developments altered the coast. The central settlement of Orsino and nearby Heath anchor the terrestrial portion of the map, while the economy of the era is visible at the Banana-Creek Fish Camp Humpback Bridge. The hydrography is particularly dense, featuring complex systems like the West Prong, Middle Prong, and Oyster Prong that feed into the Banana Creek. A unique coastal geography is revealed through local identifiers such as Peacocks Pocket, Three Cabbages, and Billy Joe Pt. The presence of numerous Spoil Banks suggests active dredging and waterway maintenance during this period of Florida's coastal history.