2012 Map of Palmito Hill

About this map

The Palmito Hill Battlefield and Palmito Ranch Battlefield dominate the cultural landscape of this coastal quadrangle, marking the site of the final land engagement of the American Civil War. Situated along the meandering course of the Rio Grande, these grounds are interspersed with historical ranching sites such as Old Palmito Ranch and Palmito Ranch. The topography is defined by a series of lomas—natural clay dunes—including Palmito Hill, Loma de la Montuosa, and Loma del Muerto, which provided strategic elevation in the otherwise low-lying delta. To the north, the industrial influence of the Brownsville Ship Channel and the Goose Island Passing Basin contrasts with the traditional river-based boundary markers known as bancos, including El Rincon Banco Number 126 and San Miguel Banco Number 88. This terrain illustrates the enduring intersection of military history, maritime commerce, and the shifting geography of the international border.