1955 Map of East Brownsville

About this map

The winding loops of the Rio Grande and ancient oxbow channels define this border landscape, where the Resaca de la Palma Battlefield stands as a landmark of mid-19th-century military history. The urban expansion of Brownsville is evident, pushing into former agricultural lands through neighborhoods like Ebony Heights and Victoria Heights. The intricate network of resacas, including Rancho Viejo Resaca and Resaca de la Guerra, reflects the natural hydrology of the Rio Grande delta before modern channelization. Industrial development is concentrated along the Brownsville Ship Channel, featuring the Brownsville Ship Harbor and various tank farms. This 1955 survey, with later revisions, documents the city's transition toward a modern logistics hub, centered on the Brownsville International Airport and its proximity to the Mexican border.