1959 Map of Bon Wier

About this map

The Sabine River snakes through the center of this 1959 survey, defining the border between Texas and Louisiana. The landscape is a complex network of oxbow lakes and wetlands, including Horseshoe Lake, Alligator Lake, and Wilson Lake, alongside extensive swamp features like Rattlesnake Slough. This era captures the region's dual reliance on timber and petroleum, with the Santa Fe and Colorado railroad serving settlements like Bon Wier and Merryville, while significant oil development is evident at the Bivens Oil Field and Bear Head Creek Oil Field.