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1954 Map of Caplen

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Caplen
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The Bolivar Peninsula separates the churning Gulf of Mexico from the calmer waters of East Bay in this mid-century look at the Texas coast. The landscape is defined by the Intracostal Waterway cutting through the marshy interior, which connects Yates Cove and Big Pasture Bayou to the larger shipping lanes. Small coastal communities like Caplen and Patton are situated along the thin strip of habitable land between the Gulf beach and the wetlands of Crab Lake.

The industrial character of the era is evident through the concentration of Oil Wells, Oil Tanks, and a prominent Oil Derrick located near the shoreline. Of particular interest to maritime researchers is the notation of Masts Exposed just offshore, marking a specific wreck site in the Gulf. This record captures the peninsula as it appeared following mid-century revisions, showing the intersection of coastal ranching, petroleum extraction, and the vital waterway infrastructure.