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1985 Map of Chisos Mountains

Name: 1985 Topographic Map of Chisos Mountains
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1985
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1985

About this map

Big Bend National Park dominates this 1980s landscape, where the Rio Grande carves a sharp international boundary between the United States and the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Coahuila. The terrain is characterized by the high elevations of the Chisos Mountains, including peaks like Emory Peak and Casa Grande Peak, which rise above the surrounding desert floor. This era shows the developed footprint of the park near the Park Headquarters and the distinct, dispersed settlements of the Trans-Pecos region.

Evidence of the area’s extraction history is noted by Mines located near Terlingua and Study Butte, where mercury mining once drove the local economy. To the west, the Mesa de Anguila and Lajitas overlook the river, while the eastern portion is defined by the Sierra del Carmen and the dramatic depths of Mariscal Canyon. Cultural landmarks such as Castolon and the San Vicente Crossing highlight the historic river-based movement that has long connected these desert communities.