1955 Map of Heuco Tanks

About this map

The Hueco Mountains and the dramatic geological formations of the Rimrock dominate this West Texas landscape, mapped during the mid-1950s. This arid terrain in El Paso County is defined by its critical water collection points, or "tanks," which were essential for ranching and travel in the high desert. While the world-renowned Hueco Tanks are situated on the eastern edge of the sheet, the map reveals a broader network of named water sources like Jarilla Tank, Eighteen Tank, and Kerby Tank connected by an extensive system of fences. This survey, compiled from 1954 aerial photography, also records a Landing Strip (Aband) near the center of the quadrangle, suggesting the changing utility of this desert floor as the mid-century era progressed.