1957 Map of Terry

About this map

The Southern Pacific railroad corridor anchors the northern landscape of this coastal Texas region, connecting the small communities of Connell, Terry, and Oilla. To the south, the industrial character of the mid-20th century Gulf Coast is evident in the expansive Bessie Heights Oil and Gas Field and the large Oil Refinery located along the Neches River. The terrain is defined by a complex network of wetlands and tidal channels, including Bessie Bayou and Bird Island Bayou, which wrap around landforms like Gum Island. Local family history is preserved in several small burial sites scattered across the higher ground, such as Wallace Cem, Williams Cem, and Stephenson Cem. Near the river, the Oak Bluff Memorial Park and the Smith Bluff Cutoff mark the transition from the marshes to the developed industrial riverfront.