1951 Map of South Bird Island

About this map

Laguna Madre dominates this 1951 coastal survey, separating the mainland of Kleberg and Kenedy Counties from the shifting dunes of Padre Island. The landscape is defined by the vital necessity of water in this semi-arid environment, evidenced by a dense network of private ranch infrastructure including Becerra Wells, Ojo de Agua, and numerous artesian sources like Parra Artesian Well and Esperanza Artesian Well. Along the coast, the Intracoastal Waterway cuts through the shallow waters, providing a navigable corridor between South Bird Island and the mainland points of Alazan Mott and Point of Rocks. Significant military presence is noted at Naval Outlying Field 42 (Practice) near Oso Creek. The interior is crisscrossed with private roads connecting isolated sites like El Martillo and various windmills, reflecting the era's expansive cattle ranching operations before modern development transformed the shoreline.