1956 Map of Los Amigos Windmill

About this map

Artesian wells and windmills define the survival and industry of this coastal Kenedy County landscape in the mid-1950s. The map captures an environment where water management is paramount, featuring family-named infrastructure such as Encino de la Cruz Artesian Well and Santa Cruz Windmill BM 17. The terrain transitions from the salt-flat edges of the Laguna Madre and Cayo Soledad into a complex of shifting sand dunes, some reaching elevations of 64 feet. The prevalence of features like Agua Dulce Windmill and Andres Artesian Well highlights the vital importance of groundwater in this ranching country. The small settlement at Parrita and the nearby Parrita Windmill serve as isolated landmarks in a region largely dominated by sand, mud, and extensive fencing, reflecting the managed but sparsely populated nature of the Texas Gulf Coast during this era.