1953 Map of Basin Well

About this map

The high desert landscape along the Chaves and Eddy County line in New Mexico is defined by its critical water sources and emerging petroleum industry during the mid-20th century. While most of the terrain is marked by depressions and tanks like Sink Hole Tank and Double Wells Tank, the southwestern corner reveals the distinct presence of Lake Ishee (Salt Well). The map records a sparse but vital network of windmills and survey markers, including the High Lonesome Windmill and various high points like VABM Cockburn 3799. Human activity is concentrated around extraction, with numerous sites labeled as Oil Well, including several dry and capped locations. These features illustrate the persistent effort to tap the subterranean resources of the Permian Basin, where even isolated landmarks like Basin Well served as essential navigational and industrial waypoints in a feature-sparse environment.