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1890 Map of Stephenville

Name: 1890 Topographic Map of Stephenville
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1918
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1918

About this map

The Bosque River and its tributaries carve a complex drainage system across this part of north-central Texas, with Stephenville serving as a central hub at the river's bend. Surveyed in 1887, the landscape reveals the early footprint of the Texas Central Railroad as it cuts through the southern portion of the sheet, connecting Dublin and Alexander. This rail corridor was essential for the movement of cotton and livestock from Erath County to broader markets.

Remote settlements like Lingleville, Morgans Mill, and Bluff Dale are scattered throughout the hills, which are defined by prominent landmarks such as Jameson Peaks and Pilot Knob. Small-scale rural life is visible in labels like Chambers Sch and the distinct water sources at Duffau Wells. The transition from the more broken terrain of the north to the broader river valleys in the south illustrates the varied geography that faced early ranchers and settlers in the late nineteenth century.