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1943 Map of Port Bolivar

Name: 1943 Topographic Map of Port Bolivar
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1952
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1952

About this map

Galveston Bay and the narrow tip of the Bolivar Peninsula dominate this mid-century maritime survey, documenting the critical shipping arteries serving the Texas coast. The strategic importance of the peninsula is evident at the settlement of Port Bolivar, where Fort Travis and several Observation Towers overlook the water. These military and navigational aids guarded the entrance to the bay during and after the war years.

Navigational engineering is a primary focus, featuring the deeply dredged Houston Ship Channel and the Trinity River Channel cutting through the open water. To the west, the massive Texas City Dike extends into the bay, while the Intracoastal Waterway skirts the shoreline. Natural hazards and landmarks like Hanna Reef, Dollar Reef, and the isolated Hannah Island provide essential context for historical vessel movements and coastal change.