1956 Map of Pettus

About this map

Pettus and the surrounding ranchlands of Bee and Karnes counties appear here during a period of significant petroleum production and rural transition. The Southern Pacific railroad serves as the primary spine for the region, connecting the small trackside communities of Tuleta and Tulsita with the larger hub at Pettus. The landscape is dotted with evidence of the mid-century oil boom, most notably the North Pettus Oil Field and the Ray Oil Field, which share space with established agriculture and family holdings like Page Ranch. Rural education is well-represented through localized landmarks such as Richland School, Ray School, and Cadillac School, many of which were central to these dispersed farming communities. Along the winding courses of Medio Creek and Hondo Creek, dozens of individual homesteads and small settlements like Monteola and Zunkerville are documented by name, providing a detailed record for genealogists and local historians.