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1954 Map of San Antonio

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of San Antonio
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

San Antonio and the surrounding Hill Country appear here during a period of significant mid-century growth and military expansion. The map clearly illustrates the transition from the rugged Edwards Plateau across the Balcones Escarpment into the coastal plains, showing how the city's urban footprint began to encircle established neighborhoods like Alamo Heights and Olmos Park. Extensive federal footprints including Lackland AFB, Kelly AFB, and the Camp Bullis Military Reservation anchor the regional economy, while the presence of the Southern Pacific and Missouri Pacific rail lines highlights the area's continued role as a transportation hub.

Water management and recreation are represented by the newly formed Canyon Lake on the Guadalupe River and the older Medina Lake. Beyond the city center, smaller settlements like Castroville, Boerne, and New Braunfels maintain their distinct identities along primary routes such as U. S. 81 and U. S. 90. The layout of counties like Bexar Co and Medina Co provides a clear framework for genealogists tracing family locations across the South Texas ranching and farming landscape.