1952 Map of South Ponte Vedra Beach

About this map

South Ponte Vedra Beach sits along a narrow barrier strip between the Atlantic Ocean and the Guana River, a landscape defined by its coastal geography in the early 1950s. The map illustrates a network of tidal marshlands and creeks, including Smith Creek and Capo Creek, which fed into the prominent Tolomato River. This waterway served as a critical segment of the Intracoastal Waterway, maintained at a project depth of 9 feet to facilitate maritime traffic. Small riverfront sites such as Spanish Landing, Booth Landing, and Cook Landing suggest a reliance on water access for the local community. Further south, Shell Bluff Landing and various islands like Pine Island and Medicis Island dot the inland waters, providing a clear picture of the St. Johns County coastline before modern expansion reshaped the barrier island's character.