1959 Map of Emory Peak

About this map

Big Bend National Park dominates the southern reaches of this landscape, where the Rio Grande carves a sharp border against Mexico. The 1959 survey records a sparsely populated Trans-Pecos frontier before the full expansion of modern infrastructure, centered on small outposts like Lajitas and Terlingua. The terrain is characterized by massive geological formations such as The Solitario and the Mesa de Anguila, with seasonal water sources like Terlingua Creek and Tornillo Creek providing the only drainage through the desert floor. The map captures a moment when the regional economy was transitioning from ranching and mining toward conservation and tourism. Evidence of this shift is visible in the placement of the Persimmon Gap Ranger Station and Boquillas Ranger Station, alongside established settlements like Study Butte and Castolon.