Loading map...

1968 Map of Housetop Mountains

Name: 1968 Topographic Map of Housetop Mountains
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

House Top Mountains dominate this high-desert landscape in Brewster County, where the terrain transitions from steep ridges to broad, arid plains. The presence of numerous Water Tanks and a dedicated Well indicates a landscape shaped by ranching requirements, as these features provide essential resources in an area otherwise drained by ephemeral watercourses like Willow Creek and Dry Creek. Settlement patterns are minimal, with the infrastructure largely centered on transportation and land management, including a series of fence lines that cross the high plateaus and canyons.

Transportation through the Trans-Pecos region is anchored by the Southern Pacific railroad corridor and Route 90, which cuts through Lemons Gap between the northern mass of Spencer Mountain and the central peaks. The inclusion of a Roadside Park along this highway route reflects the mid-century development of motorist facilities in the expansive Texas West. For those interested in the physical geography of the area, the map details significant natural landmarks such as Fin del Mundo Canyon and the prominent Dagger Draw.