1944 Map of Venice

About this map

Venice Army Air Base dominates the southern portion of this mid-century coastal survey, reflecting the significant military footprint along the Gulf during the 1940s. The airfield, complete with a network of runways and a nearby Borrow Pit, is situated just inland from Red Lake and Horse and Chaise Point. The landscape is defined by the complex aquatic geography of the Manasota Peninsula, where Lemon Bay and Dona Bay meet the sea. Transportation is anchored by the Seaboard Air Line RR, which connects the established centers of Nokomis and Venice. Further south, the map documents smaller coastal settlements like Manasota and inland areas like Woodmere. The detailed mapping of various creeks, including Alligator Creek and Hatchett Creek, illustrates the natural drainage patterns that shaped early development in this part of Sarasota County.