1968 Map of Dryden

About this map

Dryden sits as a vital rail-side outpost in the High Plains of Terrell County, defined by the corridor of the Southern Pacific railroad. This 1968 study illustrates a landscape of deep arroyos and winding draws, where the desert floor is carved by Buck Creek and the significant depression of Thurston Canyon. The settlement pattern reflects the vast ranching operations of West Texas, anchored by the Goodwin Ranch and connected by isolated routes like the Shaftor Crossing Road. In this arid environment, the terrain is dominated by the intricate drainage systems of Meyers Canyon and Magoy Creek, showing how topography dictated the placement of the railroad and the surviving cattle-country infrastructure. The map includes specific landmarks like the WT (water tank), essential for steam-era rail operations and later ranching survival in the Trans-Pecos.