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1959 Map of Gordon

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Gordon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1960
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1960

About this map

Texas and Pacific rails cut through the heart of the Palo Pinto hills, connecting the industrial nodes of Strawn, Mingus, and Gordon. During the late 1950s, this region was defined by a complex landscape of energy extraction and small-scale agriculture. The presence of the Metcalf Gap Oil Field and scattered coal mines south of Gordon illustrates the dual reliance on fossil fuels that shaped local development.

Genealogists can find numerous family-named landmarks and rural burial grounds, such as the Fox Mountain Cem and McFadden Cem, nestled in the valley of Barton Creek. The map documents the social fabric of the era through sites like the Dodson Prairie Community Hall and the Ward Mtn Ch, situated near the dominant elevations of Whit Mountain and Palo Pinto Mountain. To the north, the Brazos River forms the distinct Village Bend, while industrial relics like the Johnson Vault and various pumping stations mark the transition toward modern infrastructure.