1908 Map of El Paso

About this map

The Rio Grande valley serves as the central artery for this early 20th-century borderlands survey, defining the international boundary between Mexico and the United States. Following the river's fertile path, a string of historic settlements including San Elizario, Socorro, and Ysleta appear along the Southern Pacific RR, while the emerging hub of El Paso anchors the western edge near Juarez. To the north, the Military Reservation and Fort Bliss overlook the town, marking the strategic importance of this pass. Beyond the river valley, the landscape transitions into the stark heights of the Franklin Mountains and Hueco Mountains. Significant local landmarks like Hueco Tanks and Anthony's Nose provide navigational points for travelers crossing the arid terrain, while isolated outposts such as Newman's Ranch and Helm Ranch illustrate the sparse but persistent ranching life in the Chihuahuan Desert at the turn of the century.