1964 Map of Newcastle

About this map

Fort Belknap State Park and the surrounding Young County landscape reveal a mid-century transition from frontier heritage to an industrial economy. The historical presence of the army post is echoed by the Old Military Grade road leading toward the town of Newcastle. By the 1960s, the local economy was clearly defined by extensive coal and petroleum extraction, evidenced by a string of workings including Belknap Mine No 2 and Belknap Mine No 4, alongside numerous Oil Wells scattered across the prairies. The Brazos River meanders along the southern border, while the eastern portion of the map is dominated by the sprawling waters of Lake Graham. Genealogists will find the Belknap Cem and Wray Cem particularly valuable for tracing local family history in this resource-rich region of North Texas.