1957 Map of Abilene West

About this map

Dyess Air Force Base dominates the western landscape of this mid-century survey, its expansive runways and military structures situated just south of the Texas and Pacific railroad and the Veterans World War II Highway. To the east, the growing urban footprint of Abilene pushes into neighborhoods like Crescent Heights, revealing a post-war transition from rural ranching land to a sprawling suburban and educational hub. The map records several neighborhood anchors including McMurry College and numerous local institutions such as Fannin Sch and Grace Ch. Waterways like Elm Creek and Cat Claw Creek wind through the terrain, which is dotted with Gravel Pits and several drive-in theaters. This 1968 revision, based on 1957 field data, uses purple tinting to highlight the rapid urban expansion toward the outlying settlements of Tye, Wylie, and Caps.