1935 Map of Buena Vista

About this map

Buena Vista Ranch sits at the heart of this coastal Cameron County landscape, reflecting the ranching heritage of South Texas during the early 20th century. Surveyed by W.R. Chenoweth, the map details a complex hydrologic system where the Laguna Madre separates the mainland from the iconic Padre Island. The intricate shoreline is defined by tidal flats and inland water features such as Resaca de los Cuates and Laguna Atascosa, which show water level measurements from 1930. The terrain is marked by distinctive landforms including Horse Island and the cluster known as Three Islands. This survey is particularly notable for its early use of aerial photography to compile culture and drainage patterns, capturing the transition of the Texas Gulf Coast before modern development significantly altered these delicate salt marshes and brushlands.