1957 U.S. Geological Survey City Map or Plan of Houston, Texas

This is a huge 1957 U.S. Geological Survey city map of Houston, Texas. It is one of the largest and best mid-century maps of the city. It chronicles the development of Houston's epic freeway system as well as the post-war population boom.

A Closer Look

Coverage embraces from Bellaire to Channelview and Golden Acres and from Melrose Park and Sherwood Place to South Houston and the Houston International Airport. The enormous size allows for exceptional detail. Streets, schools, churches, and hospitals are illustrated. Special emphasis is given to oil tanks and refineries. The campuses of Rice University (Rice Institute), Texas Southern University, and the University of Houston are included. Rice Stadium, which would host a speech by President John F. Kennedy only five years later, is labeled. The city's railroads cut through the streets at strange angles, indicating their presence long before being subsumed into sprawling urbanization.

Houston in the 1950s

In the 1950s, Houston was a rapidly growing city at the heart of Texas' booming economy, driven by its flourishing oil and energy industries. As one of the largest cities in the United States, it was experiencing significant urban development and expansion, with the post-World War II population surge fueling suburban growth. This was the era of the Houston Freeway System, with highways like the Gulf Freeway and Southwest Freeway connecting the city to its surrounding areas, marking Houston as a leader in car-centric urban design. The city's aerospace industry was also gaining momentum, setting the stage for its later designation as 'Space City' with NASA's arrival in the 1960s. Culturally, Houston thrived as a hub for the arts, with institutions like the Houston Symphony and the Museum of Fine Arts enriching the city's vibrant cultural scene.

Publication History and Census

This map was created by the U.S. Geological Survey and published in 1957. It is well represented in institutional collections but scarce on the private market.