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1963 Map of Blue Hole Springs

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Blue Hole Springs
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

Blue Hole Springs serves as a primary water source in this dramatic section of the Texas Panhandle, where the high plains break into a complex network of canyons and arroyos. The landscape is defined by the winding course of Mulberry Creek and its many tributaries, including Deadwood Creek and Cottonwood Creek. Human presence is marked by functional cattle-country features like the Plains Corral and the evocatively named Koogle Jump-Off, suggesting the localized ranching operations of the mid-20th century.

Navigation through this broken terrain relies on a network of JEEP TRAILs, connecting the more level canyon floors to the higher mesas. The presence of a Gravel Pit indicates small-scale resource extraction, while water remains the focal point of the map, from the Dutch Canyon Spring to the seasonal flow through Willow Arroyo. This survey captures the region just before modern developments, preserving the layout of remote springs and ranch landmarks used by generations of locals.