1985 Map of Ironhouse Draw

About this map

Mescalero Ridge (the Caprock) dominates the western landscape of this mid-1980s Lea County survey, marking a significant topographical break in the High Plains. The arid terrain is defined by the ephemeral drainage of Ironhouse Draw, which cuts across the central portion of the sheet toward Pearl Valley in the southeast. This period represents a mature phase of energy extraction in the Permian Basin, evidenced by the extensive Oil Field development and supporting infrastructure, including an Aqueduct system and small water bodies like Red Lake. The mapping highlights the intersection of industrial land use with the natural escarpment of the Llano Estacado, providing a detailed look at the road networks and well sites that supported the regional petroleum economy during the late twentieth century.