1954 Map of Suwannee

About this map

The Suwannee River splits into a complex network of passes and tidal creeks as it meets the Gulf of Mexico, defining a landscape of salt marshes and low-lying hammocks in the mid-1950s. The settlement of Suwannee sits at the heart of this delta, positioned near the confluence of Demory Creek and the main river channel. The area's history of transport is visible in the Old Railroad Grade cutting through the California Swamp, a remnant of the lumber industry that once drove the local economy. Coastal hazards and maritime navigation are marked by a Sunken Wreck and the Boiler near Axe Island, while the offshore waters are characterized by the expansive Suwannee Reef and Halfmoon Reef. This map documents a labyrinth of named islands like Bradford Island and Hog Island, separated by traditional waterways such as Wadley Pass and Alligator Pass.