A major reservoir defines the east, federal pine forest occupies much of the interior, and U.S. 59 opens the south toward Houston. A San Jacinto County Texas map connects those three landscapes through Coldspring, Shepherd, Point Blank, Oakhurst, and scattered rural communities. The county seat is not the largest town, and the fastest travel corridor does not pass through the courthouse square, making orientation more complex than the county’s compact shape suggests.
The Census Bureau estimated 29,488 residents on July 1, 2025, 7.6 percent above the 2020 estimate base of 27,406. Growth is tied partly to lake communities and the expanding Houston–Livingston corridor, while large forest tracts keep much of the county rural.
Table of Contents
Lake Livingston Turned the Trinity into a Broad Eastern Shore
Lake Livingston was impounded on the Trinity River in 1969. The reservoir covers about 90,000 acres, reaches a maximum depth of 77 feet, and extends through Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Walker counties. Its dam lies in Polk and San Jacinto counties, creating a major engineering and geographic landmark east of Coldspring.
Point Blank and numerous subdivisions face the lake, while marinas, fishing access, boating, and shoreline housing support a recreation economy. The Trinity River continues as the county’s eastern boundary, and changing water levels mean the exact shoreline is less permanent than the administrative line.
Shepherd Functions as the Southern Transportation Center
Shepherd sits at U.S. Highway 59 and State Highway 150, about fifty miles north of Houston. Its highway position supports retail, freight, commuting, and services that differ from the governmental role of Coldspring. The route also connects north toward Livingston and south toward Cleveland and the Houston metropolitan area.
Coldspring remains the county seat at State Highways 150 and 156. Oakhurst and Evergreen identify northern and central timber communities, while Point Blank marks the northeastern lake district. Together these places show why population and services are distributed along several corridors rather than one continuous urban center.
Pine Forest Ownership Shapes Land Use
A large share of San Jacinto County lies within the Sam Houston National Forest. Longleaf and loblolly pine grow with oak, hickory, gum, ash, and pecan across rolling East Texas terrain. Public forest land supports timber management, wildlife habitat, hunting, hiking, and the Lone Star Hiking Trail.
Private timberland, cattle operations, hay fields, and rural homes occupy the remaining landscape. Historical sawmill communities such as Oakhurst and Palmetto developed around lumber companies and tram or railroad connections. Forestry remains part of the county’s identity even as commuting and lake development grow.
A Reconstruction-Era County Took the Battle’s Name
The Texas legislature created San Jacinto County on August 13, 1870, from parts of Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, and Walker counties. Coldspring became the county seat, and the new jurisdiction was named for the Battle of San Jacinto. The battlefield itself is not inside the county; the name commemorates the decisive Texas Revolution victory.
Settlement along the lower Trinity began during the 1820s, followed by Mexican land grants in the early 1830s. Coldspring began as Coonskin, with a post office established in 1847, before taking its present name in 1850. Railroad and lumber development later strengthened Shepherd and northern mill communities.
Orientation Guide
- County seat: Coldspring
- Largest and main highway town: Shepherd
- Lake community: Point Blank
- Eastern boundary: Trinity River and Lake Livingston
- Major public land: Sam Houston National Forest
- Neighboring counties: Trinity, Polk, Liberty, Montgomery, and Walker
Color Map
The color version separates San Jacinto County from Walker, Trinity, Polk, Liberty, and Montgomery counties. Point Blank lies beside Lake Livingston, while Coldspring and Oakhurst provide inland references across the forest. Shepherd’s position on the southern highway corridor contrasts with the Trinity River boundary on the east.
Black-and-White Map
Color fills are removed, but selected place names and boundary lines remain. Evergreen and Shepherd can be compared across the central and southeastern parts of the county, and the Lake Livingston edge remains recognizable. This version is suitable for low-ink printing and document reproduction.
Outline Map
The outline file removes labels and fills, retaining the San Jacinto County border and adjacent county framework. Users can plot Coldspring and Point Blank, trace the Trinity River, or add U.S. 59 and Sam Houston National Forest areas. It provides a clean base for growth, transportation, forestry, or watershed projects.
Download the County Map Set
The San Jacinto County Texas map download includes labeled color and black-and-white maps together with an unlabeled outline version. All three JPG files use an A3 layout for printing, presentations, classroom assignments, and digital reference.
County Map File Information
This download includes three A3 JPG versions of the San Jacinto County map. The labeled maps use selected place names for readability, while the outline version contains boundary lines without labels or color fills.
- Included Versions: Color, Black and White, Outline
- File Type: JPG
- Printable Size: A3 high-resolution layout
- Map Detail: County boundary, selected place boundaries, and surrounding county reference
- Intended Use: Printing, classroom materials, presentations, documents, blog graphics, and custom annotations
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Shepherd larger than the county seat?
U.S. 59 gives Shepherd direct access to Houston and Livingston, supporting transportation, commuting, retail, and residential growth. Coldspring retains county government functions.
Does Lake Livingston lie entirely in San Jacinto County?
No. The reservoir extends through Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Walker counties. Only part of its shoreline and the dam area touch San Jacinto County.
Are national-forest boundaries shown on the outline map?
No. The outline file shows the county framework only. Detailed federal ownership and recreation units require an official U.S. Forest Service map.
Sources and Further Reading
The Handbook of Texas entry for San Jacinto County documents county creation, settlement, forests, waterways, towns, and industry.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department provides Lake Livingston surface area, maximum depth, impoundment year, and location.
U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts supplies the 2020 estimate base, 2025 population estimate, and percentage change.
Regional Information
Continent: North America
Country: United States
State: Texas
County: San Jacinto County
Location in State: Southeast Texas north of Houston
Adjacent Counties: Trinity County, Polk County, Liberty County, Montgomery County, Walker County
Major Places: Coldspring, Shepherd, Point Blank, Oakhurst, Evergreen
Geographic Features: Trinity River, Lake Livingston, Sam Houston National Forest, Peach Creek
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These maps are edited visual materials, not raw data files, and are provided for education, documents, presentations, and graphic reference.
