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1952 Map of Bay City

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Bay City
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

Bay City serves as a major hub for the coastal prairie region of Matagorda County, where the intersection of three major railroads shaped the local economy. The presence of the Southern Pacific, Missouri Pacific, and Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe lines underscores the town's role as a shipping point for agricultural and industrial goods. The map reveals an educational landscape focused on the town's core, featuring the Jefferson Davis Sch, Jr High Sch, and Hilliard Sch.

Beyond the residential blocks, the land is defined by the energy sector and natural drainage. Extensive Oil Wells and a central Oil Refinery signal the mid-century petroleum boom, while the southern reaches of the quadrangle are dominated by the meandering paths of Bucks Bayou and Peyton Creek. From the Livestock Show Grounds to the Radio Station (KIOX), the map captures the transition of a Texas cattle town into a modern regional center.