1972 Map of Arden

About this map

Arden serves as a central point of reference in this West Texas landscape, defined by the winding course of the Middle Concho River and several ephemeral watercourses. This early 1970s survey captures a rural environment where infrastructure like a prominent Pipeline and multiple Gravel Pits cut across the natural drainages of West Rocky Creek and Dry Rocky Creek. The presence of the Arden Cem and the small settlement of Mertz toward the south provides essential landmarks for genealogists and local historians tracing families in Irion County. The terrain is characterized by dissected plateaus and draws, most notably Dry Creek, illustrating the complex hydrological network that defines this portion of the Edwards Plateau. The map reflects a moment in time when resource extraction and transportation infrastructure began to integrate more deeply into traditional ranching territories.