1936 Map of West Brownsville

About this map

The winding Rio Grande and its intricate network of former river channels, known locally as resacas, dominate this 1930s landscape of the Texas-Mexico border. In Brownsville, the street grid is already well-established, supported by vital infrastructure like the Water and Power Plant and Mercy Hospital, while the International Bridge connects the city to Matamoros. The surrounding Cameron County countryside is a patchwork of large family estates and agricultural bancos, including San Pedro Ranch, Anacuas Ranch, and Llanos Ranch. This era shows a transition from rural ranching to modern development, evidenced by the State Fish Hatchery and the Brownsville Country Club. Transportation is anchored by the Missouri Pacific railroad and State Highway No 4, which cut through the complex topography of the Resaca del Palma and the designated Floodway.