1956 Map of Port Isabel

About this map

The Rio Grande serves as the international boundary at the southern edge of this coastal survey, where the river meets the Gulf of Mexico below Port Isabel. The landscape is defined by the vast Laguna Madre and the protective barrier of Padre Island National Seashore. Inland, the map reveals an extensive network of irrigation and flood control, including the Floodway and Arroyo Colorado, which support the agricultural settlements of the Rio Grande Valley. Rail infrastructure is prominent, with the Missouri Pacific and Southern Pacific lines connecting hubs like Harlingen, Raymondville, and San Benito. A legacy of large-scale ranching is evident in the north through the Armstrong Ranch and Norias stations. This edition also highlights maritime navigation via the Brownsville Ship Channel and the conservation lands of the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.