{"product_id":"old-map-of-cedar-key-florida-by-usgs-1955-atsena-otie-key-seahorse-key","title":"Old Map of Cedar Key, Florida by USGS, 1955 – Atsena Otie Key \u0026 Seahorse Key","description":"\u003cp\u003eTitled “Cedar Key,” this United States Geological Survey map captures one of Florida’s most evocative Gulf Coast landscapes with scientific precision and quiet coastal elegance. Created in 1955 and published with a 1963 imprint, it presents Cedar Key at the detailed 1:24,000 topographic scale, where town, tidewater, marsh, and island all meet in a finely measured portrait of place. The map centers on Cedar Key and its surrounding waters, showing the intricate edges of the Gulf of Mexico, the channels threading between low islands, and the marshy reaches that define this part of the Nature Coast. Its vivid blues and greens give immediate clarity to the relationship between sea, vegetation, and settlement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe US Geological Survey, founded in 1879, brought to this map the authority of an institution created to understand and document the nation’s land, water, minerals, and natural systems. By the mid-twentieth century, USGS topographic mapping had become an indispensable tool for engineers, conservationists, mariners, planners, and travelers alike. In “Cedar Key,” that disciplined cartographic tradition is evident in the careful contouring, hydrographic detail, and meticulous labeling of coastal features. Rather than romanticizing the landscape, the map reveals it through measurement: elevations, shorelines, channels, islands, and wetlands are rendered with a balance of utility and beauty. It is both a technical document and a lucid visual record of a changing coastal environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCedar Key itself has long occupied an important position in Florida’s Gulf history. Once tied to shipping, salt production, fishing, pencil cedar, and rail connections, the town became a distinctive maritime community set amid oyster bars, tidal flats, and sheltering islands. Nearby Atsena Otie Key recalls an earlier chapter of settlement and industry, while Seahorse Key, North Key, Tater Island, Musquey Island, Swains Island, and the Outer Keys suggest a world shaped by tides as much as roads. The map’s waterways—Ocean Gulf Channel, Northeast Channel, West Gulf Channel, Salinas Bay, Rattle Snake Gulf, and Deadman’s Bay—show how movement here depended upon subtle passages through shallow coastal waters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wider landscape shown around Cedar Key speaks to the ecological richness of Florida’s Gulf margin. Marshlands, low islands, and coastal forests form a transition zone between mainland and open sea, an environment essential to birds, fish, shellfish, and other wildlife. Places such as Shell Mound, Shired Island, Fowlers Bluff, the Halls River, and the lands associated with the Lower Suwannee region evoke a coastal wilderness where human history and natural processes overlap. The mention of Manatee Springs points inland toward Florida’s spring-fed hydrology, linking the coast to the limestone aquifers and river systems that define much of the state. Seen today, the map offers a mid-century baseline for understanding environmental change, development, and conservation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCartographically, the map is especially compelling for its treatment of a low-relief coastal terrain. In a region where elevation changes are subtle, the contour lines—including 25-foot intervals where applicable—become important clues to the shape of land barely rising above surrounding waters. Blue marine areas, green vegetation, marsh symbols, roads, settlement patterns, and channel markings work together to create an unusually readable coastal topographic composition. The design captures both the fragility and complexity of Cedar Key: an inhabited island town surrounded by shoals, marshes, bays, and open Gulf. Its appeal lies in this combination of precision and atmosphere, presenting a scientifically grounded yet richly textured view of one of Florida’s most storied coastal places.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCities, towns and places on this map\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCedar Key\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAtsena Otie Key\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeahorse Key\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTater Island\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eManatee Springs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSalinas Bay\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNorth Key\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeadman’s Bay\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMusquey Island\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFowlers Bluff\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwains Island\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShired Island\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRattle Snake Gulf\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGulf of Mexico\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShell Mound\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHalls River\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOcean Gulf Channel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNortheast Channel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOuter Keys\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWest Gulf Channel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistorical context \u0026amp; cartographic details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduced by the US Geological Survey as a historical 1:24,000 topographical map of Cedar Key, Florida and the surrounding area.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreated in 1955 and published with a 1963 imprint.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe US Geological Survey is known for authoritative topographic maps and geological surveys in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe USGS has mapped and studied the geological features and natural resources of the United States since its establishment in 1879.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe map shows Cedar Key’s coastal features, surrounding waters, marshlands, and small islands.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCedar Key is known for its rich history, fishing industry, and access to natural and recreational areas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe map uses a vivid color palette, with blues indicating water and greens showing vegetation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContour lines represent elevation changes, including 25-foot contour intervals where shown.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoastal and marine environments are depicted in detail, reflecting the map’s topographical purpose.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe map documents the geographic and ecological character of Cedar Key during the mid-20th century, before later urban development and environmental changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLooking for a particular place?\u003c\/strong\u003e Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/it\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eask our workshop to check before you order\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDetailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please \u003ca href=\"\/it\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eget in touch\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/it\/pages\/map-personalisation\"\u003eSee personalised map examples\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEvery piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/it\/collections\/all-old-vintage-antique-maps\"\u003erare old and vintage maps\u003c\/a\u003e to discover another place, period or style.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58800941040000,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0257\/0344\/8638\/files\/file_ae463d1f-fd4b-4d4e-b0d7-df646bcf29fb.jpg?v=1787936260","url":"https:\/\/uniquemaps.co\/it\/products\/old-map-of-cedar-key-florida-by-usgs-1955-atsena-otie-key-seahorse-key","provider":"The Unique Maps Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}