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1943 Map of Devils River

Name: 1943 Topographic Map of Devils River
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

The confluence of the Devils River and the Rio Grande anchors this 1943 military-compiled survey of the Texas-Mexico borderlands. This arid landscape is defined by the deep arroyos that feed the river system, including Arroyo de los Burros and Arroyo de Jaborcillos. The mapping reflects a sparse but established ranching economy, documenting family-held properties such as the Jones Ranch, E Brite Ranch, and H G Nixon Ranch.

Industrial development is visible at the Central Power and Light Co and the C P & L Co Steam Plant near the river mouth. For researchers of border history, the map identifies critical transit points across the international boundary, including Los Burros Crossing, La Venada Crossing, and Buey Crossing. These crossings and the scattered settlements like McKees and San Lorenzo provide a detailed look at the infrastructure of Val Verde County during the mid-twentieth century.