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1949 Map of Palm Beach Farms

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Palm Beach Farms
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1949
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1949

About this map

Loxahatchee Slough dominates the northern expanse of this Florida landscape, showcasing the intricate drainage patterns and wetlands as they appeared in the late 1940s. The southern portion reveals a transition toward organized agriculture and early suburban development within Palm Beach Farms, where the West Palm Beach Canal serves as a critical artery for water management. A prominent Levee runs along the canal, marking the boundary of human engineering against the natural slough.

Small communities like Fergan, Greenacres City, and West Palm Beach Farms dot the grid, reflecting the early settlement patterns of the region. Notable local landmarks include a Military Reservation and a Radio Beacon, alongside utility infrastructure like the Sewage Disposal plant and several Borrow Pit Areas. This map captures a moment before the massive postwar expansion of Palm Beach County, documenting the essential balance between the marshy interior and emerging farmland.