1921 Map of Tarida Ranch

About this map

Ranching outposts and isolated water sources define this landscape along the South Texas coastal plain during the early 1920s. The area is characterized by a high density of small lakes and seasonal basins, notably Rosita Lake and the nearby Tate Well, which were essential for sustaining livestock in this brush-heavy environment. The map details a network of family-held estates such as San Jose Ranch, San Luis Ranch, and Tecolote Ranch, illustrating the dispersed settlement pattern of the Rio Grande Valley hinterlands. Civil infrastructure is sparse, concentrated at the Santa Margarita School near the southern edge of the quadrangle. The map also records the jurisdictional transition between Willacy Co and Cameron Co, marking a significant internal boundary line through the heart of the grazing lands.