1972 Map of Chispa

About this map

Lobo Valley (Depression) dominates this Far West Texas landscape, where the flat expanse of the high desert basin meets the dramatic rise of the Sierra Vieja. In the early 1970s, this area remained sparsely populated, defined by cattle ranching and the transit corridor of the Southern Pacific railroad. The small settlement of Chispa and nearby C Means Ranch sit at the northern edge of the valley, while White Ranch occupies the center. Water management is the primary concern in this arid environment, evidenced by scattered infrastructure like Ninety-six Windmill and the Ninety-six Spring. Topographic details reveal the complex drainage of Wild Horse Draw and the breaks of the mountains at Ninety-six Gap, providing a clear record of land use and ranching boundaries in Jeff Davis County.