1952 Map of Ashwood

About this map

Old Ocean and Sugar Valley anchor this mid-century landscape where industrial infrastructure meets the winding bayous of the Texas Gulf Coast. The transition from an agricultural past to an energy-focused economy is evident in the sprawling Oil Field and Oil Refinery that sit alongside established rural communities. Cultural landmarks such as Bethlehem Ch and the Free System Cem provide vital links for family history researchers, while the winding course of Caney Creek and its associated sloughs illustrate the complex drainage patterns of the region. The map captures a dual transit network of rail and road, with the Southern Pacific and Missouri Pacific lines bisecting the coastal prairie. Distinctive water features like Alligator Lake and Shoe Sugar Pond define the northern reaches, set against the meandering boundary of Matagorda and Brazoria counties.