1949 Map of Sharpes

About this map

The Delespine Grant dominates this coastal landscape, reflecting the long history of land grants in Florida that persisted well into the mid-20th century. Following the western bank of the Indian River, the Florida East Coast railway serves as the primary corridor for development, linking small waterfront communities like Frontenac, Sharpes, and City Point. This transit-oriented settlement pattern is typical of the pre-interstate era, where life and commerce centered on the rail line and the Intracoastal Waterway. Landmarks such as the Airway Beacon 19 (C) and Pinkerton Pier (C) point to the region's importance for both aviation navigation and maritime trade. Further inland, the terrain transitions into a complex of wetlands and smaller bodies of water, including Lake Wilson and Geiger Lake, showcasing the undeveloped character of Brevard County before the massive infrastructure projects of the later space-age boom.