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1971 Map of McKinney Springs

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

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Big Bend National Park defines this arid landscape in Brewster County, where 1970s cartography highlights the crucial role of water sources in the high desert. The map details a network of vital hydrologic features including McKinney Springs, Muskhog Spring, and the ephemeral Tornillo Creek. These water points were essential for early transit and survival, linked by historic routes such as the Old Ore Road and the Telephone Trail.

Evidence of former habitation and early industry appears through the notation of Ruins near the McKinney Hills and a solitary Mine tucked into the southern elevations. The terrain is dominated by significant formations like the Sierra del Carmen and Sierra del Caballo Muerto, with Stuarts Peak serving as a prominent landmark. This survey documents the intersection of natural desert drainage systems like Big Yellow Arroyo and Cottonwood Draw with the human history of exploration and extraction.