1958 Map of Little Axe

About this map

The Little River flows through this central Oklahoma landscape during a period of significant geographical change, marked by the expansion of Lake Thunderbird in the northwest corner. This 1958 survey, with revisions from 1969, illustrates the intersection of rural community life and the growing petroleum industry. Distinctive cultural markers include the Little Jim Mission and small settlements like Little Axe and Needmore. The map records several legacy sites for local researchers, such as Bethel Cem, Mars Hill Cem, and Bennett Ch. The presence of an Oil Field and scattered Oil Wells highlights the mid-century energy production that shaped the local economy alongside the recreational development of Little River State Park. It captures the transition from traditional homesteads and country churches to the modernized infrastructure of the Oklahoma City metropolitan fringe.