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1971 Map of McElroy Ranch

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of McElroy Ranch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Industrial development defines the West Texas landscape across the McElroy Ranch and its surrounding oil-rich plains. During the early 1970s, the region was characterized by the intensive expansion of the Wilshire Oil Field and the Jack Herbert Oil Field, where numerous sites for an Oil Well and multiple Gravel Pit operations are documented. The infrastructure necessary to support these operations is clear, featuring a network of pipelines, a distinctive Aqueduct, and a central Refinery located near the McElroy landmark.

Water management and rural navigation rely on family-named landmarks and seasonal drainage features like Mayfield Draw. The presence of named landmarks such as the Bomber Windmill and Shell Windmill highlights the isolation and the importance of specific water points in Upton County. This survey provides a precise record of the land use as it shifted from traditional ranching to a heavy petroleum and energy production footprint.