1952 Map of Hawk Island

About this map

Laguna Madre and the surrounding coastal wetlands of the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge define this landscape along the border of Willacy and Cameron counties. The map captures a transition period in South Texas water management and infrastructure, showing the Intracoastal Waterway and its associated Spoil Banks alongside natural features like Arroyo Colorado. The presence of numerous named watering points, such as Loma Alta Well, La Oveja Well, and Granjeno Well, illustrates the critical role of groundwater for ranching in this salt-influenced environment. These wells, often accompanied by windmills, served as vital landmarks and survival points across the low-lying terrain near Hawk Island and Josephine Island. The 1970 purple revisions highlight the shifting nature of the shoreline and sand deposits in this dynamic coastal zone.