1933 Map of Guadalupe Peak

About this map

Guadalupe Peak and the towering limestone face of El Capitan dominate this high-altitude landscape in West Texas, where the high desert of the Salt Basin meets the steep escarpments of the Guadalupe Mountains. This 1933 survey reveals a sparsely populated ranching frontier transitioning toward conservation and recreation. Notable homesteads and outposts like Williams Ranch, Old PX Ranch Headquarters, and the remote Ables PO dot the foothills, while higher elevations show early seasonal retreats such as Pratt's Summer Home and the Grisham Hunter Lodge. The era's transportation and industry are visible through the path of State Highway No 130, an Airway Beacon, and the high-country Calumet and Texas Mine. The intricate drainage systems of North McKittrick Canyon and South McKittrick Canyon illustrate the complex verticality of The Bowl, a distinctive high-mountain basin.