1944 Map of Devils Lake

About this map

The Devils River Lake wind through the stark landscape of Val Verde County in this mid-century survey prepared by the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army. The terrain is defined by deep incisions like Rough Canyon and the sharp curve of Slaughter Bend, where the river carves through the limestone plateau. While much of the land remains divided into expansive voting precincts such as Precinct 5 and Precinct 12, the map meticulously documents the network of remote ranching operations that supported the regional economy. Large family holdings including the Goldwire Ranch, Cauthorn Ranch, and H Miers Fourteen Mile Ranch are noted, providing a valuable record for genealogists tracing these specific West Texas surnames. The presence of 277 and 41 indicates the slowly developing transportation corridor connecting this border region to the interior during the war years.