1955 Map of La Leona

About this map

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge dominates this mid-century coastal landscape, preserving a complex of tidal flats and islands along the western edge of the Laguna Madre. The map details the transition from the ranching lands of the interior, marked by family outposts like Los Coyotes Ranch and Rancho Nuevo, to the salt-spray environment of Padre Island. A significant portion of the Arroyo Colorado is visible, including the Intracoastal Waterway and its associated Spoil Areas, which indicate the ongoing engineering of Texas coastal transit routes. The presence of Green Island (Bird Sanctuary) and numerous named landforms like Horse Island and Rattlesnake Island reveals an era focused on both wildlife conservation and the navigation of the shallow bays. Local heritage is captured through small settlements and ranch complexes such as La Leona and El Ranchito, providing a clear view of the rural Cameron County layout before modern coastal development.