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1953 Map of Thompsons

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Thompsons
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

The Thompsons Ridge Field oil development dominates the landscape of this 1950s survey, characterized by a dense grid of Oil Wells, Oil Tanks, and the worker settlement at Humble Camp. Positioned along the oxbows of the Brazos River, the area reflects an era when industrial extraction intersected with older agricultural and institutional boundaries. To the south, the sprawling Darrington State Prison Farm occupies a significant portion of the land, bounded by the Missouri Pacific Railroad and the meandering Oyster Creek.

Cultural landmarks are scattered throughout the quadrangle, including the Sacred Heart Church and the Booker T Washington School (Aban'd) near the Fort Bend Co Brazoria Co line. Water management is a visible priority, with an extensive Levee system protecting the oil fields and the South Texas Water Company Canal cutting across the eastern plains. These features together document the transition of this river valley from traditional farming into a hub of petroleum production and state-managed agriculture.