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1885 Map of Taylor

Name: 1885 Topographic Map of Taylor
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1885
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1885

About this map

The railroad-driven expansion of Central Texas is prominently displayed in this 1885 survey, where several major lines converge to shape the early development of Williamson and Milam Counties. Taylor stands as a central hub at the junction of the International and Great Northern Railroad and the Missouri Pacific Railroad, anchoring a landscape defined by its fertile blackland prairie and meandering watercourses. To the north, the Gulf Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad cuts across the terrain, supporting settlements like Rogers and Buckholts.

Smaller rural communities such as San Gabriel, Davilla, and Ad Hall are positioned away from the primary rail corridors, often situated near vital water sources like the San Gabriel River or Little River. The map meticulously details the intricate drainage system of the region, including Brushy Creek, Mustang Creek, and Donahoe Creek, which dictated the early agricultural patterns and settlement clusters of the late nineteenth century.