1984 Map of Hillister

About this map

Hillister and its surrounding timberlands characterize this East Texas landscape as it appeared in the mid-1980s. The settlement is centered near the junction of several drainage systems, most notably Big Cypress Creek and Turkey Creek. This area is defined by an extensive network of small lakes and ponds, many likely tied to the local lumber and timber industry indicated by the large Timber label on the sheet. Family and local history researchers will find several named water bodies including Masterson Lake, Spurlock Lake, and Reid Lake, alongside a local Cem located west of the main settlement. The map captures the intricate hydrology of the region, where numerous branches like Magnus Branch and Spurlock Branch feed into larger creeks, reflecting a landscape shaped by water and woodland resources before modern large-scale development shifted the rural character.