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1958 Map of Lake Paula

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Lake Paula
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

The Sam Houston National Forest dominates the northwestern reaches of this Montgomery County landscape, where the West Fork San Jacinto River carves a winding path through dense timberlands. This 1950s survey captures a transition in land use, showing the established extraction at Willis Oil Field alongside a series of private water bodies like Lake Paula and Kleimann Lake. The terrain is characterized by numerous small drainages such as Peach Creek and Caney Creek, which feed into the river system.

Local history is anchored by family-named landmarks and early infrastructure. The Shepard Cem and the prominent Shepard Hill reflect the long-standing presence of the Shepard family in the area. Scattered throughout the eastern half are several small reservoirs, including Hulon Lake and Lake Wesley, which indicate the development of recreational and agricultural water resources during the mid-century period before major modern expansions.