1951 Map of Crane Islands

About this map

Mustang Island and Padre Island form a narrow barrier against the Gulf of Mexico, separated by the waters of Corpus Christi Pass. This mid-century survey details a coastal landscape defined by shifting sand and mud, where the Intracoastal Waterway cuts a deep channel through the shallow Laguna Madre. The industrial presence of the era is evident in the northern Oil Field and scattered oil wells, while the Padre Island Causeway provides critical infrastructure connecting the mainland to the barrier islands. To the northwest, the sprawling Corpus Christi Naval Air Station overlooks Corpus Christi Bay, marking the significant military footprint in the region. Small landforms like the Crane Islands and Demit Island dot the lagoon, providing a clear picture of the Texas shoreline before extensive modern development reshaped these reaches.