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1952 Map of Palacios SE

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Palacios SE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

Matagorda Peninsula forms a narrow, shifting barrier between the Gulf of Mexico and Matagorda Bay in this coastal study based on 1952 fieldwork. The map illustrates a landscape dominated by water and sand, where the engineered Intracoastal Waterway cuts through the mainland shore near Mad Island Lake.

A striking detail for maritime history enthusiasts is the notation of Submerged Iron Rails lying in the bay waters, hinting at lost infrastructure or transport attempts on the peninsula's leeward side. The intricate shoreline of the peninsula is defined by numerous tidal inlets and marshes, including Maverick Bayou and Big Bayou, while oyster reefs like Mad Island Reef and Shell Island Reef provide structure within the shallow bay environment.