1970 Map of Shawano

About this map

Shawano and the surrounding agricultural landscape of Palm Beach County are captured here through a detailed orthophotomosaic, blending aerial photography with traditional topographic data. The terrain is defined by a rigorous grid of fields and water management infrastructure, most notably the Hillsboro Canal which cuts diagonally across the southern Florida mucklands. This 1970 snapshot reveals the industrial scale of the region's drainage system, featuring numerous Pump and Pumps stations required to maintain the water levels for large-scale farming. Along the northern edge, the Bolles Canal serves as another primary artery in this hydraulic network. The map illustrates the stark geometry of the Everglades' transformation into a productive agricultural engine, where the straight lines of private surveys and massive canals replaced natural wetlands.