FLORIDA VINTAGE ROAD MAPS

By  Mike Miller  Updated April 7, 2023

Florida was the smallest state in population in the Confederate States of America at the time of the Civil War.  Its population at that time was 140,424.

Growth was very slow in the decades up until World War Two.  When the war began, Florida's population was 1,897,414. That number has now swollen to an estimated 22,000,000 in 2022.

Some Vintage Florida MapsSome Vintage Florida Maps

The state's transportation routes began with Spanish and Native American trails, rivers, and streams.  These evolved into wagon roads and railroads and finally paved roads for cars.

The tremendous growth in Florida (it's been growing by at least one thousand people a day for years) has put a constant strain on the local and regional road network.

This web page is an interesting way to track the growth of the Sunshine State.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE FLORIDA VINTAGE MAPS

Many of these Florida vintage road map images are from the Florida State Archives.  Credit to the source is given on each image.  You can use your browser to zoom in for a closer look.

John de Solis Map of 1764John de Solis Map of 1764
Territory of Florida, 1823Territory of Florida, 1823
Tanner's Florida Map 1833 - Florida MemoryTanner's Florida Map 1833 - Florida Memory
Central Florida 1834, Orange County Regional History CenterCentral Florida 1834, Orange County Regional History Center
First Map of Florida After Statehood 1846First Map of Florida After Statehood 1846
Lloyd's Map of Southern States, 1862Lloyd's Map of Southern States, 1862
Colton's Map, 1868 - Florida MemoryColton's Map, 1868 - Florida Memory
Whitney's Pathfinder circa 1881Whitney's Pathfinder circa 1881
Hamilton Disston's 4 Million Acre Land Purchase circa 1883Hamilton Disston's 4 Million Acre Land Purchase circa 1883
Florida 1890 - Florida MemoryFlorida 1890 - Florida Memory

SPECIAL ZOOMABLE FUN FEATURE
Click on Map Below to go to Zoomable PDF File

Correct Map 1894Correct Map 1894
Florida Phosphate Fields 1890sFlorida Phosphate Fields 1898
Florida 1900 - Florida MemoryFlorida 1900 - Florida Memory
Best Roads of Florida 1915 - Florida MemoryBest Roads of Florida 1915 - Florida Memory
Florida East Coast Railway 1915 Key West ExtensionFlorida East Coast Railway 1915 Key West Extension

SPECIAL ZOOMABLE FUN FEATURE
Click on Map Below to go to Zoomable PDF File

Florida 1917 - Florida MemoryFlorida 1917 - Florida Memory

The map above is from Florida Memory, the Archives of the State of Florida.  It's fun to zoom in and see what roads were here in 1917.

Florida 1921 - Florida MemoryFlorida 1921 - Florida Memory
Florida 1923 - Florida MemoryFlorida 1923 - Florida Memory
Suwannee County, 1926Suwannee County, 1926
Best Roads of Florida 1927 - Florida MemoryBest Roads of Florida 1927 - Florida Memory

SPECIAL ZOOMABLE FUN FEATURE
Click on Map to go to Zoomable PDF File

Clayson's Guide Map of Florida, c.1927Clayson's Guide Map of Florida, c.1927

If you click on the image above of Clayson's Guide Map, you will be taken to a Florida State Archive page that lets you zoom in and out all over the state.  Try it, you'll like it.

Standard Guide Florida 1928 - Florida MemoryStandard Guide Florida 1928 - Florida Memory
Florida 1929 - Florida MemoryFlorida 1929 - Florida Memory
Florida 1930 - Florida MemoryFlorida 1930 - Florida Memory
Florida 1946 - Florida MemoryFlorida 1946 - Florida Memory

SPECIAL ZOOMABLE FUN FEATURE 1959 ROAD MAP
Click on Map to go to Zoomable PDF File

Florida 1959Florida 1959
Florida 1959 - Promotional MaterialFlorida 1959 - Promotional Material

If you click on either of the images of the 1959 Florida road map, you will be taken to a PDF file that lets you see everything in greater detail.  This is Florida immediately before the Turnpike or Interstates began to pop up.

Florida Turnpike 1964 - Florida MemoryFlorida Turnpike 1964 - Florida Memory
Cross Florida Barge Canal 1971 - Florida MemoryCross Florida Barge Canal 1971 - Florida Memory

SPECIAL ZOOMABLE FUN FEATURE
Click on Map to go to Zoomable PDF File

The map below is an image I copied from a folded paper map I purchased at Amazon.  The map is on a wall of my office and is about 18"x24".  If you like it, see Amazon link for Unique Media Map.

The changes on the map are dramatic when compared to the earliest map on this page:  John de Solis map of 1764.

Florida Map from Unique Media 2015Florida Map from Unique Media 2015
Florida 2018Florida 2018

More information about these Florida vintage road maps and more can be found at Florida Memory State Library & Archives of Florida.

The Florida Department of Transportation has a collection of all official highway maps they published from 1917 through 2020.  They are downloadable PDF files. 

FDOT MAP ARCHIVE

Our Facebook page has more than 130,000 followers who love off the beaten path Florida: towns, tourist attractions, maps, lodging, food, festivals, scenic road trips, day trips, history, culture, nostalgia, and more.  We post articles every day.  Please check it out and if you like it, we would appreciate a "like" from you.

SHARE ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA

By Mike Miller, Copyright 2009-2024
Florida-Back-Roads-Travel.com

Privacy Policy

Florida Back Roads Travel is not affiliated with or endorsed by Backroads, a California-based tour operator which arranges and conducts travel programs throughout the world.