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1957 Map of Placida

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Placida
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1987
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1987

About this map

Placida Harbor and the barrier island chain of Charlotte County are shown here as they appeared during the mid-century, with updates reflecting coastal development through the 1980s. The settlement of Placida serves as a mainland hub, while the southern tip of the map features the established community of Boca Grande. The geography is defined by a complex network of waterways, including Coral Creek and the West Branch, which separate the mainland from islands like Don Pedro Island and Little Gasparilla Island.

A notable legacy of early transportation is the Railroad Grade extending down Gasparilla Island, a corridor that once linked the phosphate industry to the deep-water port at the southern end. Local landmarks like Peekins Ranch Cove and Gasparilla point toward smaller-scale historical land use and early ranching interests. The map also delineates extensive protected waters within the Gasparilla Sound-Charlotte Harbor State Aquatic Preserve, emphasizing the environmental importance of these coastal estuaries.