1951 Map of South Bird Island

About this map

Padre Island dominates the eastern half of this 1951 coastal survey, separated from the Texas mainland by the shallow expanse of Laguna Madre. The barrier island is defined by extensive dunes, including Big Ball Hill and Dagger Hill, and shifting sands reaching elevations up to thirty-seven feet. On the mainland, a complex network of artesian wells and windmills, such as the Esperanza Artesian Well and Lobo Windmill, illustrates the vital infrastructure required for ranching in this arid environment north of Baffin Bay.