1985 Map of Chisos Mountains

About this map

Big Bend National Park dominates this mid-1980s topographical study, defined by the winding course of the Rio Grande and the complex geology of the Trans-Pecos. The map details the transition from the volcanic heights of the Chisos Mountains to the desert floor, where ephemeral watercourses like Terlingua Creek and Tornillo Creek carve through the landscape. Settlement patterns of the era are concentrated in small outposts such as Terlingua, Study Butte, and Lajitas, locations historically tied to mercury extraction, as evidenced by the indicated Mines near the Christmas Mountains. The international boundary between the United States and Mexico is clearly delineated, showing the relationship between border communities like Castolon and Boquillas before modern access changes. Distinctive geological formations, including the massive circular uplift of The Solitario and the high plateaus of Mesa de Anguila, provide a clear picture of the region's physical geography.