1952 Map of Panther Point

About this map

Matagorda Island serves as a stark landscape of military utility and coastal wilderness in this early 1950s survey. The map is dominated by the Matagorda Island Bombing and Gunnery Range, defined by a clear Range Boundary that cordons off the interior of the barrier island. This area, located between the Gulf of Mexico and San Antonio Bay, reveals a complex system of shallow water bodies including Panther Point Lake, Swan Lake, and Cedar Lake. The transition from the sandy gulf beach to the marshy bay side is marked by features like Panther Reef and extensive Mud Flat areas, illustrating the island's role as a protective buffer for the mainland. Windmills and small pipes noted on the bay side suggest limited grazing or resource activity prior to or alongside the range's establishment.