Refinery

Oil is important to the Texas economy.  Refineries are located all along the Texas gulf coast.  The Intracoastal plays a big part in moving various products to and from refineries.

 

Tank Farm

Where there are refineries, there are tank farms.  They are not very pretty, unless you happen to own oil stocks, or otherwise make money from the oil "bidness".  In truth, most Texans do so, directly or indirectly.

Point Comfort

Point Comfort is probably the most notorious Industrial site on the lower Texas coast.  Alcoa Aluminum, Union Carbide, and Formosa Plastics have plants here.

Ranch House

The King ranch is probably the most famous of the South Texas ranches, but many others large and small abut the ICW. Numerous small ranch houses like this one can be seen both on the mainland, and on the barrier islands.

Home

Numerous homes can be seen directly on the waterway.  Most of these are located in or near towns or communities.  Many more are in subdivisions which have streets on one side, and canals on the other.  Not all of them are this nice...

Shack

Some look like this or worse.