1955 Map of Potrero Cortado

About this map

Laguna Madre separates the South Texas mainland from the shifting sands of Padre Island in this mid-century coastal survey. The landscape is defined by the shallow, hypersaline waters of The Hole and the Middle Ground, where navigation is dictated by the Intracoastal Waterway. On the mainland, ranching interests are evident at Carnestolendas Ranch and Mota Negra, supported by a critical network of artesian sources including Picacho Nuevo Artesian Well and Richards Artesian Well. The name "potrero" appears frequently across features like Potrero Cortado and Potrero de los Caballos, indicating historical pasture grounds enclosed by natural water boundaries or sloughs like Rocky Slough. This map captures the coastal environment before significant modern development, showing isolated outposts like Dunns Ranch and the natural break at Yarborough Pass.