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1952 Map of Austwell

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Austwell
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

The coastal marshlands of the Texas Gulf Coast come into sharp focus near the settlement of Austwell, where the Missouri Pacific railroad cuts across the low-lying prairie. This mid-century landscape is defined by the intricate delta where the Guadalupe River splits into the North Guadalupe River and South Guadalupe River, feeding into the expansive Mission Lake. The geography is a labyrinth of brackish waterways and family-named landmarks like Schwing's Slough and Mamie Bayou, reflecting an era of intricate water management and agricultural drainage.

Local researchers can trace the early layout of the townsite and the Austwell Cem south of the tracks. The map records the complex network of sloughs and cuts, such as Traylor Cut and the descriptively named Alligator Slide Lake, which illustrate the tidal nature of the Refugio and Calhoun county line. From the Pumping Station in the north to the wide reaches of Hynes Bay, the map documents the delta's form before later coastal developments or significant environmental shifts.