1971 Map of Lajitas

About this map

Lajitas sits at a critical bend in the Rio Grande, serving as a focal point for this 1970s borderland survey. The landscape is defined by its industrial and ranching history, with the Wax Factory Laccolith standing as a prominent geologic feature near several extractive sites like the Whitroy Mine and Fresno Mine. Further north, Madrid Ranch and the deep cuts of Fresno Canyon illustrate the isolation and scale of West Texas landholdings during this era. The map captures the international boundary as it follows the river's limitrophe channel, passing landmarks such as the Contrabando Waterhole and Contrabando Canyon. To the southeast, the boundary between Presidio and Brewster counties meets the river, where a portion of Big Bend National Park is visible, including a network of pack trails and unidentified ruins that hint at older habitations along the water.