Dolph’s Indexed Street Map of Orland Winter Park Florida and Vicinity

Mid-century street plan of Orlando, Florida.

This attractive postwar map of Orlando and the surrounding area was copywritten and published around 1955 by Frank B. Dolph. Artistic flourishes reflect a dedication to the cartographic craft. A mix of toponyms, pictorial elements (trees, crosses, flags, etc.), hotel banners, and a decorative compass rose add attractive elements to an otherwise standard street plan. Numerous lakes and the primary roads are highlighted in striking printed blue color, the latter predating the drastic changes from the construction of Interstate 4. Expanding suburbs well beyond the city limits reflects rapid growth in the years following World War II.

The legend in the lower left notes the symbols used to identify schools, parks, utility plants, cemeteries, hospitals, and golf courses – an interesting cross-section of contemporary priorities for tourists and residents alike. The Orland Commercial Airport (today’s Executive Airport) and the ‘New Airport’ (Orlando International) are also named, but the map appears to predate the Winter Park Mall (1957). The verso presents a road map of Orange County, an alphabetical street index, and several advertisements for local real estate firms (another indicator of the urban growth of the era).