1957 U.S. Coast Survey Aeronautical Chart of Dallas, Texas and Environs

A large-format aeronautical chart of northern Texas, focusing on the Dallas-Fort Worth region, prepared in 1957 by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. The map records Dallas' pioneering contributions to early American aviation.

A Closer Look

The chart covers a wide portion of northern Texas, from Lubbock and Midland to Dallas and Fort Worth. Civilian and military airports are labeled throughout, connected by flightpaths shaded purple (civilian) or red (military). The verso includes legends explaining aeronautical and topographical symbols used throughout the chart, a full list of aerodromes included on the recto, an index map of the sectional aeronautical charts covering the entire U.S., prohibited and restricted areas, a map of the U.S. with Air Defense Identification Zones indicated information on radio frequencies, emergency signals, cruising altitudes, and more.

Dallas and the Early Days of Aviation

Dallas and the surrounding area have played an important role in the history of aviation. Braniff International Airways, founded in Dallas in 1928, was one of the earliest major commercial airlines operating international routes (to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America). Dallas also became a hub for aviation manufacturing, including North American Aviation (later North American Rockwell, then Rockwell International, which was later acquired by Boeing), which was headquartered in Dallas and played a crucial role in producing aircraft for the United States during World War II. Dallas Love Field, established in 1917, served as a military training base during World War I and later became a commercial airport. It played a significant role in the development of the American aviation industry and continues to be an important airport in the region. Finally, the development of Dallas-Fort Worth Airport (discussed below) and the growth of Southwest Airlines have made the region into one of the centers for commercial aviation in the United States and globally in recent decades.

The Days before DFW

This chart predates the construction of Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. While the concept of a unified airport for the cities had existed for some time, the cities and surrounding communities could not agree on a site, so each maintained its own airport, Love Field in Dallas and Meacham Field in Fort Worth, as well as nearby Amon Carter Field. But by the time of this map's production, these airports were sorely inadequate to meet the area's commercial aviation needs. After long discussion, votes, and considerable pressure from the Federal Aviation Administration, a site was finally chosen near Grapevine, and the new airport opened in 1973, ultimately developing into one of the busiest airports in the world.

Publication History and Census

This chart was prepared by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1957. It is the 44th edition of the U.S.C.S. Dallas Sectional Aeronautical Chart, which was frequently updated to reflect the addition of new airfields (including military ones) and other changes, which were common in these years. The present edition is not independently cataloged in the OCLC.