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1940 Map of Kilgore

Name: 1940 Topographic Map of Kilgore
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1940
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1940

About this map

The Sabine River snakes across the northern landscape of this East Texas survey, setting the stage for a region defined by its mid-century energy boom. Kilgore sits at the heart of the activity, surrounded by the oil-industrial infrastructure of Oil City and Swamp City. The map reveals an intricate network of local roads and rail lines, including the Texas & Pacific and Missouri Pacific, which serviced the flourishing oil fields.

Genealogists will find a high density of rural institutions across the Gregg Co and Rusk Co border, such as Laird Hill Sch, Rock Springs Mission, and Mt Pleasant Cem. The presence of the Prison Farm and numerous family-named landmarks like Walkers Corner and Dickson Corner provide a granular view of the social fabric before post-war consolidation. This documentation of the East Texas Field era records the transition from a traditional agrarian society to an industrial powerhouse.