1972 Map of Mertzon SW

About this map

The Middle Concho River defines the northern edge of this West Texas landscape, winding through Irion County during the early 1970s. The terrain is characterized by a network of seasonal watercourses, including Big Hollow Draw, Lopez Creek, and Rock Pen Draw, which illustrate the natural drainage patterns of the Edwards Plateau. Evidence of local industry and resource extraction is scattered across the sheet, marked by several Oil Well sites, a Radio Tower, and various Drill Hole locations. Small-scale excavation is also present, with Gravel Pits located near the river and southern draws. This survey provides a clear look at the rural infrastructure of the era, where isolated wells and unimproved roads served a sparsely populated ranching and petroleum-producing region.