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1963 Map of Deer Creek

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Deer Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1982
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1982

About this map

The Little Wichita River valley in Clay County underwent a significant transformation by the early 1980s, as shown by the expansion of Lake Arrowhead. This map illustrates the planned inundation zones, noting a planned normal pool elevation that encroaches upon the historic settlement of Halsell. While the rising waters of the reservoir reshaped the northern landscape, the southern reaches remained defined by a dense network of petroleum extraction sites, including the Vera Strawn Oil Field and the Acme Oil Field.

Tracing the heritage of this ranching and oil-rich region reveals local landmarks such as the Halsell Cem and the small community of Deer Creek, which lends its name to a local watercourse and several nearby production zones like the Deer Creek Oil Field. Transportation history is visible in the form of an Old Railroad Grade cutting across the northern terrain, signaling the evolution of transit before the era of modern water management and expanded oil exploration.