1922 Map of Barnhart

About this map

Barnhart serves as the central hub of this West Texas landscape, positioned at a significant junction of the Kansas City Mexico and Orient railroad. The layout of the region in the early 1920s reflects a sprawling ranching economy, with large holdings such as Murphy Ranch, Slaughter Ranch, and the Noelke Ranch defining the settlement pattern across the Irion and Crockett county line. The terrain is characterized by the prominent drainage of Tepee Draw, which cuts through the northern section of the map, while the isolated Twin Lakes provide a rare water feature in this arid environment. Transportation outside of the rail corridor relies on the Ozona Road and Sheffield Road, which connect these remote ranching outposts to larger regional centers. This survey, conducted by S.T.Penick and T.F.Murphy, captures the era when steam rail and cattle ranching dictated the geography of the Edwards Plateau.