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2012 Map of Big Hill

Name: 2012 Topographic Map of Big Hill
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2012
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2012

About this map

Big Hill and Johnson Hill anchor this expanse of Reeves County, defining a landscape shaped by water management and ranching infrastructure in the early 21st century. The drainage of Cottonwood Cr meanders through the southern half of the quadrangle, where a network of county roads like Co RD 222 provides access to scattered landmarks. The scarcity of surface water is evident in the prevalence of named tanks and windmills, which serve as the primary human imprints on this arid terrain.

Strategic points such as the High Lonesome Windmill and Old Ranch Windmill reflect a history of cattle ranching, while a series of artificial catchments—including McIlvain Tank, Kemp Tank, and Langham Tank—underscore the vital importance of water storage. These features, often named for local families or landmarks, provide essential reference points for genealogists and researchers tracking the spatial history of West Texas land use and property boundaries.