1956 Map of Punta Gorda SE

About this map

Charlotte Harbor dominates the western half of this mid-century survey, its coastline defined by a dense labyrinth of mangrove islands and tidal keys. From the prehistoric Cockroach Mound in the north down to Roberts Island, the shoreline remains largely undeveloped, providing a view of the natural hydrology before extensive modern dredging. Inland, the landscape is punctuated by numerous flowing wells and borrow pits, particularly near the Atlantic Coast Line railroad and U.S. 41 corridors. The small community of South Punta Gorda Heights represents the primary residential footprint of the era. Waterways like Whidden Branch, Winegourd Creek, and Yucca Pen Creek drain the low-lying interior toward the harbor, while John Quiet Lakes and various named keys like Silcox Key and Blacks Island offer specific points of interest for navigating this intricate coastal environment.