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1955 Map of Laguna Vista

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Laguna Vista
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

The coastal landscape of the Lower Rio Grande Valley unfolds across this 1955 survey, showcasing a complex network of bays, ridges, and emergent developments. Laguna Vista and Laguna Heights appear as established settlements along the western edge of the Laguna Madre, positioned near the historic Old Railroad Grade. This transport corridor, while no longer an active rail line, still serves as a defining boundary between the inland lomas and the sprawling waters of Laguna Larga. To the south, the deep Ship Channel cuts through the marshy terrain toward the Boca Chica Passing Basin, signaling the area's maritime importance.

Prominent geographical features like Redhead Ridge and Loma la Cuchilla rise above the wetlands, providing natural landmarks such as Posta de Roque and Paso Corvinas. The extensive Bahia Grande dominates the central portion of the map, fragmented by points like Punta de las Bahias and narrow crossings like Carretas Crossing, which hint at the traditional movement of people and livestock through this salt-marsh environment.