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1930 Map of Laguna Atascosa

Name: 1930 Topographic Map of Laguna Atascosa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1930
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1930

About this map

Ranching operations and tidal wetlands dominate this 1930 coastal landscape, where the flat terrain of Cameron County meets the waters of Laguna Atascosa. The map documents a transition from traditional landholdings to more formal infrastructure, evidenced by a network of straight-line thoroughfares like Line Road, East Road, and Shade Road. Large family-named holdings such as El Alazan Ranch, San Pedro Ranch, and Palo Blanco Ranch are interspersed with numerous small seasonal ponds and wetlands, illustrating the natural drainage patterns of the Rio Grande delta before modern agricultural intensification.

The presence of the Rio Grande Valley Ranch railroad line and settlements like San Jose indicate the early 20th-century development of the region's transport and supply chains. Significant water features like Cross Lake and the winding Resaca channels highlight the complex hydrology of the area. This survey, compiled in part from early aerial photography, offers a precise look at the land use and survey boundaries established by early South Texas settlers and cattlemen.