1956 Map of Pacific Reef

About this map

Old Rhodes Key and Totten Key anchor the northwestern corner of this maritime chart, where the land transitions into the shallow, coral-strewn waters of the northern Florida Keys. The topography is dominated by the submarine features of the Atlantic Ocean, meticulously documented via soundings and depth curves compiled by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. The map captures the hazardous navigation of the mid-1950s, highlighting critical aids to mariners such as the Pacific Reef Lighthouse and various Daybeacons. The boundary between Dade Co and Monroe Co cuts through Broad Creek, while the sheltered waters of Turtle Harbor are protected by the natural barriers of Turtle Reef and Pacific Reef. This hydrographic study provides a clear view of the underwater landscape before the expansion of modern marine preserves, focusing on the intricate channels and banks like Old Rhodes Bank that defined the regional seafloor.