Loading map...

1968 Map of China Ranch

Name: 1968 Topographic Map of China Ranch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

North Monahans Field and the surrounding Shifting Sand dunes of Winkler and Ward counties define this landscape in the late 1960s. The map illustrates a high-intensity industrial environment where the petroleum economy dominates the high desert terrain. Extensive infrastructure, including the Monahans Gasoline Plant and Halley Gas Plant, is linked by a dense network of pipelines and service roads like Blockline Road.

Evidence of local ranching and water management is scattered throughout the oil fields, marked by numerous named water sources such as Mitchell Windmill, North Camp Windmill, and Stub Windmill. The southern edge of the survey is traversed by the Texas New Mexico railroad line, passing near the eponymous China Ranch. This intersection of heavy industry, rail transport, and traditional ranching provides a clear view of the Permian Basin's mid-century development.