1959 Map of Van Lake

About this map

The Van Oil Field dominates the western portion of this 1959 survey, marking the industrial character of the Smith and Van Zandt county line during the late 1950s. This energy infrastructure, including a Water Filtration Plant and a Disposal Well (Salt) near Van Lake, contrasts with the traditional rural settlements found to the east. The map preserves the locations of early local congregations and burial grounds, such as Providence Ch, Duck Creek Ch, and the Bowman Cem. Natural drainage patterns are defined by the Sabine River at the northern edge, fed by a network of waterways including Village Creek, Rock Creek, and Rattlesnake Creek. A Historical Marker near Village Creek further emphasizes the deep-rooted local history found within this East Texas landscape.