1957 Map of Orangefield

About this map

Cow Bayou winds through the heart of this coastal Texas landscape, defining a region of dense marshland and emerging post-war settlements. The transition from rural acreage to mid-century suburbanization is evident near Bridge City and the petroleum-rich area of Orangefield. This mid-1950s survey captures a landscape interlaced with infrastructure, from the historic Old Spanish Trail and the tracks of the Southern Pacific railroad to the specialized facilities of the Brown Airport. Local genealogy is well-preserved through numerous family-named landmarks and resting places, including the Dorman Cem, Winfree Cem, and Turner Cem. The map reveals the intricate water management of the era, showing an extensive network of levees and the Shell Canal supporting the drainage and industrial needs of Orange County near the Sabine River border.