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1978 Map of Horseshoe Butte

Name: 1978 Topographic Map of Horseshoe Butte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The arid ranching landscape of West Texas is revealed in this 1970s topographical survey, where water sources dictate the placement of human activity. Settlement is sparse, anchored by the Means Ranch in the southern portion of the quadrangle. The terrain is characterized by broad drainage systems like Yates Draw and Cracker Jack Draw, which feed into the seasonal marshlands of Tally Slough and Red Slough.

Strategic landmarks such as Sacahuista Butte and the distinctive Horseshoe Butte rise above the flats, providing navigation points across the high desert. Cattle ranching infrastructure is the primary feature of this area, evidenced by a network of isolated water points including Sacahuista Windmill, Antelope Windmill, and Ninemile Tank. The presence of a Landing Strip near the northeastern corner suggests the importance of light aircraft for managing these expansive, isolated parcels of Jeff Davis County land.