1952 Map of Potrero Lopeno SE

About this map

Padre Island forms a narrow, dynamic barrier between the Gulf of Mexico and the shallow expanse of the Laguna Madre in this mid-century coastal study. The landscape is defined by vast stretches of Sand and Mud and Shifting Sand Dunes that reached heights of 26 feet during the early 1950s. This specific stretch of the Texas coastline is notably sparse, highlighting the isolation of the island before significant modern development. Sparse traces of human activity are recorded by labels for Ruins and a station marked Meteor, suggesting historical navigational or scientific presence in a region primarily shaped by wind and tide. The map captures the shoreline as it existed following 1948 aerial photography and 1949 ground surveys, documenting the ephemeral nature of the dunes and the shifting interface of the South Texas coast.