1949 Map of Vero Beach

About this map

The Florida East Coast railroad line anchors the development of the Indian River coastline, connecting the citrus-growing and transit hubs of Wabasso, Winter Beach, Gifford, and Vero Beach. This 1949 survey illustrates a landscape transitioning from extensive citrus groves and agricultural tracts into a structured regional center. The interior is defined by a grid of citrus infrastructure, including North Gifford Road and North Winter Beach Road, while the coastline reveals the complex geography of the Indian River Narrows. Large-scale coastal features like Johns Island, Pine Island, and Barker Island sit adjacent to the emerging Intracoastal Waterway. To the south, the expansion of the Vero Beach Municipal Airport and the establishment of the Royal Park Golf Course signal the post-war growth of the city as it began to modernize and expand toward the Atlantic Ocean.