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1952 Map of Palacios SE

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Palacios SE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

Matagorda Peninsula dominates this coastal survey, appearing as a long, narrow barrier of land between the Gulf of Mexico and Matagorda Bay. The topography reveals an intricate system of marshy inlets and waterways, including Maverick Bayou and Big Bayou, which carve into the landward side of the peninsula. Along the northern mainland edge, the Intracoastal Waterway is visible, protected by a Levee near Mad Island Lake.

Hydrographic data from the early 1950s highlights the submerged landscape of the bay, marking hazards and landmarks like Shell Island Reef and Mad Island Reef. A notable curiosity is the notation of Submerged Iron Rails in the northeastern waters of the bay, suggesting remnant infrastructure or cargo from earlier maritime activity. The map serves as a detailed record of this shifting shoreline before modern coastal changes.