1981 Map of Vero Beach

About this map

Blue Cypress Lake and the expansive St Johns Marsh dominate the interior landscape of this 1980s Florida coastal survey, revealing a region defined by its complex hydrology and early modern development. Along the Atlantic shore, the Indian River Aquatic Reserve protects a string of barrier islands and lagoons, including the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. The settlement pattern follows the established corridor of the Florida East Coast Railway and Florida's Turnpike, linking coastal communities like Sebastian and Vero Beach to the interior cattle and citrus lands near Kenansville. This map captures the area as coastal expansion began to push westward from the historical centers of Wabasso and Gifford, while specialized sites like the Valkaria Missile Tracking Station and the Fleming Grant land tract provide glimpses into the region's diverse military and colonial land-tenure history.