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1929 Map of Santa Maria

Name: 1929 Topographic Map of Santa Maria
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1929
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1929

About this map

The Rio Grande meanders along the international boundary between United States and Mexico, carving out a landscape defined by sharp oxbows and traditional water management. Surveyed in 1929, this sheet reveals the critical irrigation infrastructure of Cameron County, including the Santa Maria Pumping Plant and the La Feria Pumping Plant along the riverbank. These facilities supported the agricultural development of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, linking the river to the interior settlements of Santa Maria and Bluetown.

A network of named water bodies, or resacas, such as the Resaca de Los Fresnos and Resaca del Rancho Viejo, wind through the terrain, indicating former river channels. Transportation is anchored by the Military Road and the Old San Benito Road, which connect rural outposts like Gloria Ranch and Florida Ranch. The map also captures the precise border interface between Texas and Tamaulipas, showing how local ranching operations like Galveston Ranch were positioned relative to the river's frequent shifts.