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1944 Map of Dry Devil

Name: 1944 Topographic Map of Dry Devil
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1944
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

The Dry Devils River carves a deep path through this ranchland in Val Verde County, defining a landscape of isolated homesteads and limestone breaks during the early 1940s. Large-scale ranching operations like Dessler Ranch, Whitehead Ranch, and Quigg Ranch dominate the topography, reflecting the region's historical reliance on livestock in the semi-arid Edwards Plateau. A notable mid-century landmark, the Airfield at Davis Ranch, suggests the increasing importance of aviation for reaching remote Texas outposts during the war years.

Transportation through the precinct is anchored by the Del Rio Sonora Road, which connects the small settlement at Loma Alta to the surrounding territory. Water sources are critical in this environment, evidenced by named features such as Dolan Springs and Red Bluff Creek. The map also captures several ranch sites with shared family names, including E Fawcett Ranch, L Fawcett Ranch, and H Fawcett Ranch, providing a valuable record of land distribution and family heritage in this corner of the state.