1955 Map of Fort Bliss SE

About this map

Fort Bliss Military Reservation dominates the landscape of this mid-century survey, illustrating the significant military footprint on the outskirts of El Paso. The map captures a transitional moment for the city, with a purple tint indicating the 1967 extension of urban areas into neighborhoods like Del Norte Heights and Hacienda Heights. This expansion pushes against the fixed boundaries of Biggs Air Force Base, where structures like Bakers Well and various towers stand amidst the arid terrain. To the east, the desert remains largely open, marked only by essential water sources like McElroy Well and Hells Hole Well, and the natural drainage of Jesuit Draw. Infrastructure such as a Pipeline Telephone line and an Aqueduct trace the desert floor, reflecting the engineering required to support a growing population and a massive military installation in the Chihuahuan Desert.