2010 Map of Hess Canyon

About this map

Old Oscar Nance Place and Old Parker Place anchor the northern reaches of this Brewster County landscape, where the geography is defined by a network of ephemeral water sources and deep drainage cuts. The presence of numerous named water catchments, such as Michigan Tank, Tin Shack Tank, and China Tank, underscores the critical importance of water management in this arid West Texas environment. These features, alongside established outposts like Willis Ranch and Old Word Ranch, suggest a long-standing ranching economy that relies on the natural topography of Hess Canyon and Javelina Canyon for livestock movement and shelter. The map traces the winding course of Burnt House Creek and Fox Canyon, providing a detailed record of land use and named landmarks in a region where family-named places and remote tanks represent the primary markers of human activity.