1963 Map of Hat Mesa

About this map

Hat Mesa and the surrounding high plains of the Permian Basin are defined here by a sparse network of ranching and early petroleum infrastructure. In the early 1960s, this arid landscape across the Eddy Co and Lea Co line was primarily organized around essential water sources and specialized terrain features. Isolated outposts like Brinninstool Ranch and various water points such as Rogers Well, Comanche Wells, and Clifton Well provided the necessary hubs for land management. The topography is marked by significant depressions and rises, including the San Simon Swale and the distinct elevations of Antelope Ridge and Grama Ridge. Evidence of the region's developing energy sector is clear, with numerous Quarry sites and a sprawling network of Pipeline routes and an Oil Field cutting across the desert floor alongside old Jeep Trail paths.