1953 Map of Martinez

About this map

The Southern Pacific rail line and historical road corridors like the Old Spanish Trail and Jefferson Davis Highway define the transit-driven landscape of eastern Bexar County. This mid-century survey captures a mix of established agrarian settlements and growing military infrastructure, most notably the Martindale National Guard Airfield and the nearby Radio Towers (KMAC). Small rural centers such as Martinez, China Grove, and Schirmerville anchor the community, supported by local institutions like St Jerome Ch and the Salatrillo Sch. The terrain is characterized by a network of drainage ways including Martinez Creek, Salitrillo Creek, and Chupaderas Creek, which converge as they flow toward the southeast. In the southwestern corner, the presence of Oil Wells and Oil Tanks points to the localized energy production of the era, while named heights like Calf Hill provide subtle relief in the coastal plain topography.