1958 Map of Purmela

About this map

Cowhouse Creek and the Leon River define the undulating landscape of western Coryell County, where small agricultural hubs like Purmela, Arnett, and King established themselves along the early road network. This mid-century survey illustrates the rural infrastructure of the era, from the Purmela Sch and Purmela Cem to the scattered country sanctuaries of Bethel Heights Ch and Standlee Chapel. The northeastern corner is dominated by the county seat of Gatesville, including the expansive grounds of the Gatesville State School for Boys. Southward, the terrain becomes increasingly complex as it rises into the Shell Mountains, a series of prominent elevations like Stampede Mtn and Bushy Knob. A significant portion of the southern landscape is occupied by the Fort Hood Military Reservation, its northern Reservation Boundary cutting across the rugged hills and gaps of the Leon River valley.