1919 Map of Maravillas Canyon

About this map

Stillwell Ranch and Pettit Ranch anchor this landscape of the Texas Big Bend, surveyed by R.W. Berry and H.B. Ingersoll during the late 1910s. The terrain is dominated by the deep incisions of Maravillas Canyon and Reagan Canyon, which feed toward the Rio Grande as it forms the international border with Mexico. The importance of water in this arid environment is evidenced by numerous named catchment features like Blue Cave Tank, Rockhouse Tank, and Hole in the ground Tank. Elevated landmarks including Stillwell Mtn and the Dove Mountain Range define the horizon, while Black Gap provides a notable natural passage through the peaks. This survey captures the remote ranching infrastructure of Brewster County before the era of modern development, showing the winding trail systems that connected these isolated outposts.