1956 Map of La Sal Vieja

About this map

La Sal Vieja, a salt lake in the South Texas brush country, dominates this landscape at the intersection of Kenedy, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties. The area is characterized by a network of ranching infrastructure, primarily a high concentration of named windmills that serve as vital landmarks across the arid terrain. Key locations include the San Jose de los Llanos Windmill, Jesus Maria Windmill, and La Tordilla Windmill, reflecting the deep-rooted Hispanic ranching heritage of the Rio Grande Valley hinterlands. Near the shore of the lake, La Sal Vieja Ranch stands alongside a Pumphouse and several Spoil Banks, while a small Landing Strip to the north indicates the region's mid-century reliance on private aviation for managing remote property. To the west, the landscape transitions from natural salt flats to industrial utility with several Gas Wells and an Artesian Well.