1958 Map of Spurger

About this map

The Neches River carves a winding path through this corner of the Big Thicket, defining the boundary between Tyler and Jasper counties. In the late 1950s, the landscape was a mix of conservation, industry, and small rural communities. The Magnolia Springs State Nursery stands in the northeast near Magnolia Springs, while the western hills are dotted with scattered oil and gas developments, including the Joes Lake Oil Field. Small rural centers such as Spurger and Fred are connected by narrow roads and an Old Railroad Grade that speaks to the region's timber history. Numerous family-named landmarks and country churches, such as Spring Hill Ch and Lilly-of-the-Valley Ch, are interspersed among the oxbow lakes like Horseshoe Lake and Sally Withers Lake, providing a detailed look at the era's local settlement patterns.