1957 Map of Mc Allen

About this map

The Rio Grande defines the international boundary and the character of this South Texas region, where the river's path is marked by the recently completed Falcon Dam. This 1950s survey documents the transition from the dense riverine settlements like Rio Grande City, Roma, and Mission to the expansive oil and gas fields of the interior. North of the river, the landscape is a patchwork of industrial energy extraction, featuring the Rincon Oil Field, La Reforma Oil and Gas Field, and Los Olmos Oil Field. The eastern portion of the sheet shows the concentrated growth of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, with the Missouri Pacific railroad corridor connecting the burgeoning hubs of McAllen, Edinburg, and Pharr. Military and conservation interests are also represented, from the Moore Air Force Base to the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge along the river's bend.