1956 Map of Royal Palm Ranger Station

About this map

Everglades National Park defines the southern portion of this mid-century landscape, where the seasonal waters of Taylor Slough move through a series of limestone islands including Parachute Key and Pine Island. This 1950s survey captures the distinct boundary between the protected natural wilderness and the structured agricultural and aviation developments to the north. At the heart of the park transition is the Royal Palm Ranger Station, serving as a gateway to the unique hydrology of the area. To the north and east, a rigid grid of roads such as Kings Highway, Avocado Drive, and Biscayne Road indicates the encroaching suburban and commercial growth near the Homestead General Aviation Airport. The contrast between the drainage-dependent airfield and the expansive wetlands highlights the era's evolving land-use patterns on the edge of the Everglades.