1952 Map of South of Potrero Lopeno

About this map

The coastal waters of the Laguna Madre and the Gulf of Mexico dominate this 1952 topographic study of the South Texas shoreline. Along the western shore, the developing maritime outpost of Port Mansfield is shown with its protected harbor and adjacent Landing Field, serving as a vital link between the mainland and the Intracoastal Waterway. The landscape is defined by its reliance on subterranean water sources, evidenced by a dense network of family-named artesian wells such as Mascal Artesian Well, Mota Mesquite Well, and Aqua Gorda Well scattered across the coastal plains. Eastward across the lagoon, the shifting sands of Padre Island form a barrier of dunes reaching elevations up to 66 feet, while El Sauz Island sits amidst the Spoil Banks created by channel dredging. This survey captures the transition from a traditional ranching economy to one increasingly shaped by modern coastal infrastructure.