1969 Map of Fitzpatrick Hollow

About this map

The Nueces River snakes through the brush country of McMullen County, creating a complex hydrologic landscape where the main channel often diverges into the Old River. This South Texas terrain, characterized by the Kings Hills and dissected by drainages like Fitzpatrick Hollow and Richardson Creek, supported a post-war ranching economy centered on large landholdings. Isolated ranching operations, including the True Ranch and Arrowhead Ranch, define the settlement pattern of the late 1960s. Evidence of industrial and logistical infrastructure is visible in the form of a Landing Strip, a series of Gravel Pits, and a prominent Pipeline cutting across the northwestern corner. Man-made water features such as Big Tank and Mustang Tank emphasize the necessity of water management in this semi-arid environment, while the BR 215 Gaging Sta on the river suggests the importance of flow monitoring for the Texas Water Development Board.