1952 Map of Lake Austin

About this map

Hydrology dominates this coastal landscape in Matagorda County, where Lake Austin and several smaller water bodies like Lake Kilbride and Pelton Lake punctuate the low-lying terrain. The map reveals an intricate network of waterways, including the winding Peyton Creek and Big Boggy Creek, alongside numerous tidal inlets such as Live Oak Bayou and Chinquapin Bayou. A striking industrial footprint is evident through dozens of numbered artesian points, such as Flowing Well 11 and Flowing Well 6, which indicate significant groundwater management or ranching infrastructure during this era. Protective Levee systems follow the contours of the wetlands, reflecting the ongoing efforts to manage the transition between the freshwater systems and the marshy coastal plains. This 1952 survey, with later 1970s revisions, also documents early aviation and energy interests through a rural Landing Strip and scattered Oil Wells.