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1952 Map of Yarborough Pass

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Yarborough Pass
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

Laguna Madre dominates this 1952 study, separating the Texas mainland from the shifting sands of Padre Island. The landscape is defined by its reliance on deep water sources, evidenced by numerous named wells such as the Maria Petra Artesian Well and Perez Artesian Well that supported remote outposts like Carnestolendas Ranch. This era shows the coastline before extensive modern development, where the Intracoastal Waterway cuts a narrow path through the shallow lagoon.

The terrain is marked by dynamic environmental features, specifically the shifting sand dunes that reach heights of 34 feet. At the center of the sheet, Yarborough Pass provides a key point of reference across the island to the Gulf of Mexico. The presence of Spoil Banks alongside the waterway indicates the ongoing maintenance required to keep these coastal shipping lanes open amidst the moving sands and mud of the Middle Ground.