2016 Map of Tom

About this map

The Red River defines the landscape of this border region, carving a serpentine path through the alluvial bottomlands where the Oklahoma-Texas line meets. The river's dynamic nature is evident in the complex network of oxbows and sloughs, including the Bailey Cut-off and Billy Hall Bend. In the northern portion of the sheet, the southern reaches of the Ouachita National Forest provide a contrast to the water-dominated south, with the small community of Tom serving as a local hub. Genealogists and local historians will find significant value in the documentation of numerous family burial sites tucked away in the forest and near the settlement, such as Harris Cem, Byrms Cem, Manning Cem, and Pine Ridge Cem. The map illustrates the specialized water features of the Red River valley, from named marshes like Red Slough to secluded bodies like Churchhouse Lake and New Lake.