1936 Map of East Brownsville

About this map

The Rio Grande snakes along the international border with Mexico in this detailed survey of the Lower Rio Grande Valley during the 1930s. The landscape is defined by its complex hydrology, featuring numerous oxbow lakes or resacas, such as Resaca del Rancho Viejo, and engineered water controls like the Viejo Floodway and various irrigation ditches. In the city of Brownsville, the Gateway Bridge spans the river, while the Brownsville Airport and rail lines including the Southern Pacific and Missouri Pacific highlight the region's importance as a transportation hub. Historical significance is marked at the Resaca de la Palma Battlefield, where a Battlefield Mon commemorates the 1846 conflict. Rural life is evidenced by the El Jardin Sch and the small settlement of Tejon near Loma Alta Lake.