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1963 Map of Hat Mesa

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Hat Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

Hat Mesa and the surrounding high plains of Eddy and Lea counties define this landscape of resource extraction and ranching infrastructure during the mid-20th century. The terrain is characterized by broad depressions and ridges, including the extensive San Simon Swale and the prominent Antelope Ridge, which dictate the placement of water sources like Dagger Lake and Bell Lake. These catchment points were vital for the livestock operations at the Brinninstool Ranch and various named tanks such as Lost Tank and the School Section Tanks.

Industrial development is clearly visible through the expansion of the Cruz Oil Field and a network of pipelines that cut across the basin. The map reveals the tension between the natural topography of The Divide and the human-engineered landscape of quarries and oil wells. For historians and researchers, the presence of numerous jeep trails and survey markers offers a detailed view of how this arid region was navigated and developed before modern infrastructure dominated the Permian Basin.