1958 Map of Pine Island Center

About this map

Matlacha Pass separates the mangrove-fringed shores of Pine Island from the Florida mainland, defining a landscape dominated by tidal creeks and sprawling estuaries in the mid-20th century. This 1958 survey, photorevised in 1972, reveals the early stages of water-based development along the Monroe Canal and Dawson Canal, particularly near St James City and Flamingo Bay. The inclusion of numerous flowing wells across the eastern mainland suggests the area's agricultural reliance on artesian water before widespread municipal infrastructure. Navigational points such as the narrow Hell Gate and the sheltered Glover Bight illustrate the intricate maritime geography of San Carlos Bay. From the residential clustering at Pine Island Center to the protected reaches of the Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge, the map documents a transition from wild subtropical wetlands to a settled coastal community.