1917 Map of Agua Fria

About this map

Agua Fria Mountain dominates the southern landscape of this 1917 survey, a testament to the Chihuahuan Desert terrain of Brewster County during the early twentieth century. This map, produced in cooperation with the War Department, documents a network of vital transit routes and water sources essential for survival and commerce. The presence of the Old Stage Stand and the distinction between the Old Alpine and Terlingua Road and the newer New Alpine and Terlingua Trail illustrate the evolving infrastructure of the Big Bend region. Settlement is sparse, represented by isolated outposts such as Adams Ranch, Hale Cabin, and Burnt House Camp. Water features like Cheosa Waterhole, Dewees Tank, and various unnamed springs and wells along the Alamo Cesario Creek highlight the critical role of reliable water in this arid environment, while terrain features like Fizzle Flat and Bandera Mesa define the local topography.