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1936 Map of Santa Maria

Name: 1936 Topographic Map of Santa Maria
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1936
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1936

About this map

Meandering loops of the Rio Grande define the landscape of southern Cameron County in this 1929 survey. The intricate hydrology of the region is captured through numerous bancos, such as Palma Banco No 25 and Villitas Banco No 24, which mark the river's shifting course and the complex international boundary. Inland, the Resaca de los Fresnos winds through the terrain, flanked by a network of irrigation infrastructure including the Santa Maria Pumping Sta and La Feria Pumping Sta.

Settlement patterns follow the high ground and transport corridors, with Santa Maria serving as a primary hub. The Missouri Pacific railroad cuts through the center of the sheet, connecting smaller ranching communities and outposts like Gloria Ranch and Bluetown. The transition from old river-road economies to rail-supported agriculture is evident in the alignment of the Old Military Road and State Highway No 4.