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1955 Map of Brady Mountian

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Brady Mountian
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1956
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1956

About this map

Pool Ranch and Pole Pen Ranch anchor this mid-century livestock landscape, where water management is the primary driver of human activity. The map reveals a dense network of water collection and distribution points essential for ranching in the Texas Hill Country, including curiously named features like Thousand Dollar Tank, Bull Trap Tank, and the Goat Hole. The terrain is defined by the prominent Brady Mountain and the bluffs overlooking the San Saba River in the northwest corner.

Wind-powered pumps are ubiquitous across the acreage, with specific sites such as High Lonesome Windmill, Hays Windmill, and Indian Hill Windmill providing vital landmarks for local navigation and land management. The drainage system of Deep Creek and its many forks, including East Deep Creek and Middle Deep Creek, creates a complex series of draws and ridges that dictated the placement of roads and pens during this era of ranching operations.