1949 Map of Wilson

About this map

Merritt Island is depicted here at a pivotal transition between its citrus-growing past and its aerospace future. Along the western edge of Mosquito Lagoon, the small settlement of Wilson and the nearby Dummit Grove represent the area's agricultural and local fishing roots, while the purple map revisions from 1977 document the transformation of the landscape into the John F Kennedy Space Center (NASA). This survey captures the encroachment of space exploration infrastructure, such as Launch Complex 39B, upon the barrier island's natural features like Cucumber Slough and Max Hoeck Back Creek. The presence of the US Government RR further illustrates the massive logistics required to build the launch facilities within the Canaveral National Seashore. This record preserves the location of older landmarks like Bull Camp and various unnamed ruins that predated the federal acquisition of the land.