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2013 Map of Van Vleck

Name: 2013 Topographic Map of Van Vleck
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2013
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2013

About this map

Van Vleck serves as the primary hub of this Matagorda County landscape, where the flat coastal plains are defined by an intricate network of drainage and petroleum extraction. The settlement pattern is largely influenced by the presence of the Bay City Oil Field and the Armour Oil Field, which speak to the industrial character of the region. Local history is anchored at the Free System Cem on the eastern edge of Van Vleck, while smaller rural nodes like Chalmers and McCroskey are connected by a grid of named farm-to-market roads.

The terrain is marked by seasonal waterways and sloughs, including Snead Slough, Hardeman Slough, and Bucks Bayou, which carve through the agricultural land. Significant landmarks such as the Ag Aviation Airport and Camp Pierce provide insight into the diverse uses of the land, from crop dusting to recreation. This survey captures a moment in the 21st century where the traditional ranching and farming heritage of the Texas coast continues to coexist with established energy infrastructure.