1972 Map of Sugarloaf Key

About this map

Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge and the National Key Deer Refuge dominate this 1970s orthophotomap of the Florida Keys, where the land-and-water boundary is defined by mangroves and shallow tidal basins. The map illustrates a period of mid-century infrastructure and military presence, featuring the Cudjoe Key Air Force Site and the U.S. Naval Communications Station situated near Fivemile Creek. Residential footprints are visible at Sugarloaf Shores and Pirates Cove, supported by local facilities like the Sugarloaf Sch and the Sugarloaf Shores Airport. Small settlements such as Noston, Easton, and Marvy are marked among the various keys, including Pumpkin Key and the Barracuda Keys. The orthophoto base provides a clear view of the underwater channels, such as Bow Channel and Kemp Channel, which were vital for navigating these treacherous flats before modern dredging.