1973 Map of Fort Ranch

About this map

The East Saunders Oil Field dominates this High Plains landscape in Lea County, illustrating the intensive petroleum extraction industry of the early 1970s. The terrain is defined by a dense network of pipelines and service roads connecting numerous Oil Wells and a centralized Refinery. These industrial features stand in contrast to the traditional ranching heritage of the region, represented by the Etcheverry Ranch and the small settlement of Pello. Infrastructure for the oil economy is pervasive, with multiple instances of a Pumping Sta located across the survey area. Mapping from this era highlights the systematic division of the land through township and range lines, such as the boundary between T 14 S and T 15 S, which dictated the placement of both mineral leases and local roads.