1951 Map of Ratcliff

About this map

Davy Crockett National Forest dominates this East Texas landscape, where the dense piney woods are bisected by an intricate network of creeks and bayous. The settlement of Ratcliff serves as a local hub near the southern forest boundary, featuring Ratcliff Lake and its prominent Spillway. This 1950s-era topography reveals a rural society structured around small communities like Tadmor, Creath, and Burrantown, each connected by winding forest roads and an Old RR Grade that hints at the area's timber history. Genealogists will find significant value in the documentation of several local burial grounds and houses of worship, including Bethel Cem, Old Zion Cem, and Bethel Ch. The terrain is characterized by subtle rises like Chinquapin Ridge and numerous watercourses such as Hickory Creek and South Fork Cochino Bayou, which defined the boundaries and travel routes of Houston County residents during this period.