Old Maps of South Padre Island, Texas for Academic Research

Study the evolution of South Padre Island with 24 high-resolution historic maps. Whether you're teaching, researching, or modeling changes in land use, these maps provide essential visual documentation of urban, environmental, and geographic change.

  • Analyze long-term change: Track patterns in development, transportation, and natural features.
  • Ideal for environmental or urban studies: Support academic projects with primary historical map data.
  • Use in the classroom or lab: Educators and researchers rely on these maps to bring historical context to life.

These maps are a powerful tool for teaching, research, and visualizing how South Padre Island has changed over the decades.


South Padre Island, TX maps

(24)
  1. 1929 Map of Point Isabel
    1929 Map of Point Isabel
    1929 Point Isabel
    1929 Print · USGS
    Coastal Texas life in the late twenties centered on the rail-to-sea connection at the tip of the Laguna Madre. Genealogists and historians can trace early infrastructure like the Plank Road on Padre Island and the Rio Grande Valley Railway depot at Point Isabel.

  2. 1930 Map of Padre Island No. 1
    1930 Map of Padre Island No. 1
    1930 Padre Island No. 1
    1930 Print · USGS
    The South Texas coast in 1930 appears as a quiet landscape of shifting sands and tidal reaches. Researchers can trace the early topography of Padre Island, the vast Laguna Madre shoreline, and the curious site of an (Abandoned Hotel).

  3. 1934 Map of Port Isabel
    1934 Map of Port Isabel
    1934 Port Isabel
    1934 Print · USGS
    Coastal Cameron County in the early thirties reveals a burgeoning maritime hub at the edge of the Laguna Madre. Trace the early infrastructure of Port Isabel, from the Rio Grande Valley RR terminus to the Plank Road on Padre Island.
    2 unique versions available

  4. 1935 Map of Padre Island No 1
    1935 Map of Padre Island No 1
    1935 Padre Island No 1
    1935 Print · USGS
    The South Texas barrier coast appears in its pre-development state during the mid-1930s, showing the wild stretch of Padre Island. Researchers can trace the original shoreline and the vast waters of the Laguna Madre and the Gulf of Mexico.
    2 unique versions available

  5. 1953 Map of Brownsville
    1953 Map of Brownsville
    1953 Brownsville
    1953 Print · USGS
    South Texas ranchlands and the Lower Rio Grande Valley are captured here in the early fifties as the region's irrigation and shipping networks expanded. Genealogists and historians can trace family landholdings like Tecolote Ranch or follow the route of the St Louis Brownsville and Mexico rail line through Sebastian and Yturria.

  6. 1955 Map of Port Isabel NW, 1956 Print
    1955 Map of Port Isabel NW, 1956 Print
    1955 Port Isabel NW
    1956 Print · USGS
    Coastal Cameron County comes into focus in the mid-1950s, showing the early infrastructure of Padre Island. Researchers can trace the original shoreline at Long Point and find markers for navigation like the Intracoastal Waterway and Andy Bowie Park.
    4 unique versions available

  7. 1955 Map of Port Isabel, 1957 Print
    1955 Map of Port Isabel, 1957 Print
    1955 Port Isabel
    1957 Print · USGS
    Coastal Cameron County comes into focus in the mid-fifties, just as the barrier islands began to develop for tourism. Trace the early Queen Isabella Causeway, the Missouri Pacific Railroad terminus, and family-named lomas like Loma Ochoa.

  8. 1955 Map of Port Isabel, 1957 Print
    1955 Map of Port Isabel, 1957 Print
    1955 Port Isabel
    1957 Print · USGS
    Port Isabel and the surrounding barrier islands are captured in the mid-fifties as the region developed into a vital maritime and industrial hub. Trace the early layout of Isla Blanca Park, the path of the Queen Isabella Causeway, and numerous coastal lomas like Loma del Mesquite.
    4 unique versions available

  9. 1956 Map of Brownsville, 1969 Print
    1956 Map of Brownsville, 1969 Print
    1956 Brownsville
    1969 Print · USGS
    The Texas-Mexico borderlands and the Gulf coast come alive in this mid-century survey of the Rio Grande Valley. Genealogists and historians can trace the reach of the Missouri Pacific rail lines through citrus country to schools like Las Yescas and Palm Grove.
    2 unique versions available

  10. 1956 Map of Port Isabel, 1983 Print
    1956 Map of Port Isabel, 1983 Print
    1956 Port Isabel
    1983 Print · USGS
    Coastal Texas and the Rio Grande Valley are shown here in the mid-twentieth century as the region balanced intensive agriculture with maritime trade. Researchers can trace historic rail lines like the SOUTHERN PACIFIC and locate rural landmarks such as Las Yescas Sch or the Armstrong Ranch.

  11. 1962 Map of Brownsville
    1962 Map of Brownsville
    1962 Brownsville
    1962 Print · USGS
    The Lower Rio Grande Valley in the early sixties was a landscape of coastal wildlands, booming oil fields, and international border commerce. Trace the development of this frontier region through landmarks like Harlingen Air Force Base, Boca Chica Island, and the Willamar Oil Field.

  12. 1992 Map of Harlingen
    1992 Map of Harlingen
    1992 Harlingen
    1992 Print · USGS
    South Texas in the early nineties shows a landscape defined by industrial growth and coastal conservation along the Rio Grande. Trace the rail lines of the Missouri Pacific through Raymondville or locate the historic Palo Alto Battlefield near Port Isabel.

  13. 2010 Map of Port Isabel, 2010 Print
    2010 Map of Port Isabel, 2010 Print
    2010 Port Isabel
    2010 Print · USGS
    The Texas coastline at the dawn of the 2010s reveals a sophisticated network of maritime trade and island tourism. Local historians can trace the development of Port Isabel and South Padre Island, linked by the Queen Isabella Causeway, alongside older landmarks like the Point Isabel Lighthouse.

  14. 2010 Map of Port Isabel NW, 2010 Print
    2010 Map of Port Isabel NW, 2010 Print
    2010 Port Isabel NW
    2010 Print · USGS
    South Padre Island and the coastal barrier of South Texas are captured here in the early 2000s. Trace the development of the shoreline along Padre Blvd and Ocean Blvd between the Laguna Madre and the Gulf of Mexico.

  15. 2013 Map of Port Isabel, 2013 Print
    2013 Map of Port Isabel, 2013 Print
    2013 Port Isabel
    2013 Print · USGS
    Coastal Texas comes to life in this early twenty-first century survey of the Laguna Madre and its essential maritime corridors. Researchers can trace the development of South Padre Island and the commercial waterfront of Port Isabel, from the Point Isabel Lighthouse to the docks at Fisherman's Wharf Marina.

  16. 2013 Map of Port Isabel NW, 2013 Print
    2013 Map of Port Isabel NW, 2013 Print
    2013 Port Isabel NW
    2013 Print · USGS
    The Texas coast near Port Isabel appears in the early 21st century as a study in barrier island development and maritime geography. Trace the layout of beachfront communities along Padre Blvd and Gulf Blvd as they transition into the open shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico.

  17. 2016 Map of Port Isabel, 2016 Print
    2016 Map of Port Isabel, 2016 Print
    2016 Port Isabel
    2016 Print · USGS
    Coastal Texas near the Rio Grande mouth comes into focus in the mid-2010s, showing the intersection of heavy maritime industry and delicate tidal lomas. Trace the shipping lanes of the Brownsville Ship Channel or explore local landmarks like the Queen Isabella Causeway and Boca Chica Beach.

  18. 2016 Map of Port Isabel NW, 2016 Print
    2016 Map of Port Isabel NW, 2016 Print
    2016 Port Isabel NW
    2016 Print · USGS
    Texas’s barrier island geography is on display in this mid-2010s survey of the Gulf coast. Researchers can trace the development of South Padre Island and its primary corridors like Padre Blvd and Gulf Blvd along the shoreline.

  19. 2019 Map of Port Isabel NW, 2019 Print
    2019 Map of Port Isabel NW, 2019 Print
    2019 Port Isabel NW
    2019 Print · USGS
    Coastal Texas is captured in the late 2010s as development extends along the barrier sands of the Gulf. Researchers can trace the expansion of South Padre Island and the layout of beach-front roads like Ocean Blvd and Padre Blvd.

  20. 2019 Map of Port Isabel, 2019 Print
    2019 Map of Port Isabel, 2019 Print
    2019 Port Isabel
    2019 Print · USGS
    Coastal Texas near the border comes into focus in this recent survey, showcasing the maritime infrastructure and island geography. Researchers can trace the layout of Port Isabel and the causeway to South Padre Island, or locate landmarks like Boca Chica Beach and the Brownsville Ship Channel.

  21. 2022 Map of Port Isabel NW, 2022 Print
    2022 Map of Port Isabel NW, 2022 Print
    2022 Port Isabel NW
    2022 Print · USGS
    Coastal Texas in the 2020s is defined by the thin stretch of Padre Island as it buffers the mainland from the sea. Researchers can trace the developed streets of South Padre Island, including Padre Blvd and Gulf Blvd, alongside the maritime path of the Intracoastal Waterway.

  22. 2022 Map of Port Isabel, 2022 Print
    2022 Map of Port Isabel, 2022 Print
    2022 Port Isabel
    2022 Print · USGS
    The Texas coast near Port Isabel comes to life in this modern era survey of Cameron County's shoreline and shipping lanes. Researchers can trace the maritime geography of Long Island, locate the Port Isabel City Cem, and follow the Queen Isabella Causeway to South Padre Island.

  23. 2025 Map of Port Isabel NW, 2025 Print
    2025 Map of Port Isabel NW, 2025 Print
    2025 Port Isabel NW
    2025 Print · USGS
    The Texas coastline at the southern tip of the state is defined by the thin barrier of Padre Island and its expanding coastal community. Trace the growth of South Padre Island along Padre Blvd and the Intracoastal Waterway.

  24. 2025 Map of Port Isabel, 2025 Print
    2025 Map of Port Isabel, 2025 Print
    2025 Port Isabel
    2025 Print · USGS
    Port Isabel and the barrier islands of the Texas coast are shown here in detail during the mid-2020s. Researchers can trace the layout of the Port Isabel waterfront, locate the Port Isabel City Cem, or follow the Brownsville Ship Channel through the coastal lagoons.

End of results
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