1980 Map of Last Chance Mesa

About this map

Last Chance Mesa dominates the landscape of this Brewster and Jeff Davis County border region, where high desert elevations meet a network of vital water management features. The area's ranching and transit history is defined by the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad, which cuts through the southeastern terrain near Musquiz Creek. The reliance on surface water in this arid environment is evident in the numerous named reservoirs and catchment points scattered across the topography, including Herradura Tank, Duck Tank, and Number Ten Tank. Navigating the complex drainage patterns, such as Hatch Canyon, is facilitated by a Jeep Trail that winds through the northern sections of the mesa. This 1980s-era documentation provides a precise view of the geographic intersections between the industrial rail lines and the practical infrastructure of West Texas land use.