1943 Map of Smith Point

About this map

Smith Point projects into the confluence of Trinity Bay, Galveston Bay, and East Bay in this coastal survey based on 1940s aerial photography. The landscape is defined by the critical maritime infrastructure of the Texas coast, centered on the Trinity River Channel and the Houston Ship Channel. Along the marshy coastline, the small settlement of Smith Point is surrounded by a network of windmills and early oil wells, signaling the burgeoning petroleum industry that would come to dominate the region. The map captures the intricate geography of the shoreline before significant modern alteration, featuring the Vingt-et-un Islands and various coastal landmarks like Morgan Point and Trout Pt. This study offers a clear view of the mid-century relationship between small-scale ranching and the industrial maritime traffic moving through the bay system.