1972 Map of Bledsoe SW

About this map

The Allison Oil Field dominates this corner of the Llano Estacado, where industrial extraction and isolated rural education defined the mid-century landscape. Spanning the boundary of Roosevelt Co Lea Co, the map reveals a network of pipelines and service roads supporting various wells and a dedicated Gasoline Plant. This industrial footprint is interspersed with remnants of earlier settlement patterns, most notably the Pitchfork School situated in the eastern portion of the quadrangle. The terrain is characterized by numerous depressions and scattered Gravel Pit excavations, while the survey point at Sawyer and the northern reaches of the Crossroads area provide fixed landmarks in a relatively open expanse. The distribution of these features illustrates the transition from a traditional ranching economy to one centered on petroleum production and the extraction of local materials.