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1954 Map of Dallas

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Dallas
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

The Trinity River and its multiple forks anchor this mid-century portrait of North Texas, capturing the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex during a period of rapid post-war expansion. The map details a complex network of reservoirs and infrastructure projects, including Grapevine Reservoir, Eagle Mountain Lake, and Lake Tawakoni, illustrating the region's managed water resources. Major military and educational institutions are well-defined, from Carswell Air Force Base and Hensley Field to campuses like Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University.

Transitioning from the dense urban centers of Dallas and Fort Worth, the landscape reveals a mosaic of smaller communities such as White Settlement, Haltom City, and Grand Prairie. The survey preserves the path of historic rail lines like the Texas & Pacific RR and St. Louis Southwestern RR, which once drove the local economy alongside the emerging interstate highway system. Rural landmarks such as Boles Orphan Home and Dinosaur Valley State Park offer a look at the cultural and natural sites that defined the area beyond the city limits.