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1972 Map of Baluarte Ranch

Name: 1972 Topographic Map of Baluarte Ranch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1975
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1975

About this map

The boundary between Brooks and Jim Hogg counties defines the eastern edge of this South Texas landscape, where the seasonal waters of Arroyo los Palos Baluarte and Baluarte Creek carve through the brush country. This 1972 field-checked survey reveals an economy and way of life centered on cattle ranching and resource extraction. The map is punctuated by an extensive network of named water sources essential for livestock, including Buenos Aires Windmill, Los Caballos Windmill, and Jaboncillo Windmill.

At the heart of the area lies the Baluarte Ranch, surrounded by evidence of geological exploration and industrial activity. Numerous Drill Holes and Oil Wells are scattered across the terrain, alongside several Gravel Pits. This documentation provides a clear look at the intersection of traditional Texas ranching with the mid-century expansion of the energy and materials industries in the Rio Grande Plain.