1959 Map of Clay

About this map

Clay stands as a focal point near the confluence of major Texas waterways, where the Brazos River meets Yegua Creek at the county boundaries of Burleson, Brazos, and Washington. This mid-century landscape is defined by the winding meanders of the Brazos, including the prominent Big Bend, and a network of bayous and creeks like Koontz Bayou and Boggy Creek. The region’s infrastructure is shaped by its rail history, featuring the Gulf Colorado and Santa Fe and the Texas and New Orleans (SP) lines, alongside a legacy of industrial extraction noted by the Clay Pit and various Gravel Pits. Local genealogy is well-preserved through several burial sites, including Botts Ferry Cem, Clay Cem, and Thomas Cem. The map also records oxbow formations such as Clay Lake and Tennessee Lake, which illustrate the river's historical shifts through the bottomlands.