1951 Map of Tom

About this map

The Red River carves a complex, shifting path through this borderland at the start of the 1950s, creating a landscape of oxbow lakes and sediment-rich islands like Severn Island. This fluvial environment is marked by numerous water bodies including Stick Lake, Caney Lake, and Brushy Lake, which trace the former channels of the river. The small settlement of Tom serves as a northern anchor for a community defined by its rural institutions. The distribution of several country schools, such as Sand Hill Sch and Pecan Grove Sch, alongside cemeteries like Harris Cem and Manning Cem, suggests a dispersed agricultural population tied to the land. Transportation across the river is facilitated by the Clear Lake Ferry, highlighting the river's role as both a lifeline and a significant geographic barrier between Oklahoma and Texas.