1935 Map of Padre Island NO. 2

About this map

Padre Island stretches across this coastal survey, appearing in its pre-development state during the mid-1930s. This specific section of the barrier island reveals the shifting relationship between the open Gulf of Mexico and the shallow, expansive waters of the Laguna Madre. The map was compiled using aerial photography from the U.S. Army Air Corps, reflecting a period when modern surveying was beginning to utilize flight to chart the dynamic Texas coastline. With no roads, structures, or bridges shown, the sheet emphasizes the natural geography of the region as it was before it became a major recreational destination. The work of W. O. Washington, County Engineer, and the Cameron County Commissioners provided the local control for this federally published record, documenting the pristine shoreline and tidal flats of south Texas.