Topographic Map of Texas and Oklahoma: U.S. Geological Survey, Dec, 1 1918

This early 20th-century indexed map specifically shows Texas and parts of Oklahoma, as well as the border with Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico. The primary purpose of the map is to serve as a reference for the coverage of topographic maps and geologic folios available for the region as of 1918. The map is densely detailed, with counties, cities, rivers, and railroads meticulously labeled in fine black lines, while the areas for which topographic maps and geologic folios exist are highlighted in red grid squares and rectangles. A key in the lower left corner explains the symbols and codes used to denote the different types of maps and survey coverage. The map reflects the USGS’s systematic effort to survey, map, and document the geography and geology of the United States during a period of rapid development and resource exploration. Its utilitarian design, clear typography, and practical grid system make it a valuable historical artifact for understanding the progress of scientific mapping in the early 20th century.

Verso gives information regarding geologic folios and other reports.

Background on Creator(s)

Created by Congress on March 3, 1879, the USGS was originally dedicated to exploring the geology and mineral potential of western lands. The USGS revolutionized surveying. Before the USGS was formed, most mapping in the United States was done by military expeditions and several independent government surveys. Upon its creation, the USGS established a comprehensive approach to surveying and worked to classify public lands by examining their geological structure, mineral resources, and products. This scientific appraisal of land potential and mineral resources changed the way government approached surveying. It also encouraged conservation, economic expansion, and more efficient development across the nation.

The USGS has been making topographic maps of Texas since the 1880s. The early maps show roads, towns and settlements, and political boundaries, though the physical features are only generalized. Advances in the field of geology enabled scientists to determine the nature of the rocks and minerals that make up the earth and specify how they were formed. Additionally, scientists were better able to identify coal, oil, and gas resources and assess their potential for development.

The U.S. Department of the Interior is an executive department of the federal government, established on March 3, 1849, to manage and conserve most federal lands and natural resources in the United States. Its responsibilities include oversight of national parks, wildlife refuges, dams, and reservoirs, as well as the administration of programs for Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and several U.S. territories. The DOI manages about one-fifth of the nation's land, primarily through agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs. Unlike interior ministries in other countries, which typically handle police and internal security, the U.S. Department of the Interior focuses on land, resource, and cultural management. Its headquarters is in Washington, D.C., and the department is led by the Secretary of the Interior, a Cabinet-level official who reports directly to the President. Over the years, the department has played a central role in the development of America's public lands, conservation efforts, and the administration of Indian affairs.