1963 Map of Fordtran

About this map

Chicolete Creek and its southern branch wind through a landscape defined by ranching and early petroleum extraction in the mid-1960s. The small settlement of Fordtran sits near the eastern edge of the survey, situated along a decommissioned Railroad Grade that once connected these rural communities. The map captures a high density of industrial activity within the Barry Oil Field and Gohlke Helen Field, where numerous drill holes, pumping stations, and pipelines intersect the traditional agricultural boundaries. Local transportation is facilitated by thoroughfares like Hensley Road and County Line Road, while the numerous Gravel Pits scattered across the terrain indicate the localized extraction of materials for road construction and maintenance. This documentation of the De Witt and Victoria County line reveals a complex network of resource management, from the water flowing through Garcitas Creek to the various gas and oil wells.