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1954 Map of St Marks NE

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of St Marks NE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

St Marks National Wildlife Refuge anchors the southern portion of this landscape, where the boundary between Wakulla and Jefferson Counties meets the complex hydrology of the Florida Panhandle. The area is defined by its karst topography and extensive wetland systems, most notably the sprawling Gum Swamp and the unique limestone formations of Pinhook Sinks. These sinks, along with named features like Bear Bay Sink and Big Rock Sink, provide a glimpse into the subterranean water movements that characterize this region before it reaches the Pinhook River.

Navigation through this low-lying terrain is traced via historic tracks and creek systems such as Cane Creek and Gum Creek. The map documents a sparsely populated but geographically distinct wilderness, punctuated by named elevations and clearings like Smoky Hammock and the Sand Hills. This mid-century survey records the natural drainage patterns and local nomenclature, including vernacular names for water bodies like Jake Hole and Featherbed Bay, essential for understanding the historical environmental character of the Jefferson County coast.