1963 Map of Mesa Palo Amarillo

About this map

Marquez Ranch and Vigil Tank sit within a high-desert landscape defined by the drainage systems of Cañon del Alegre and the massive elevations of La Mesa Del Medio. This mid-century survey of the Anton Chico grant reveals an intricate water-management network essential for cattle ranching in Guadalupe County. A series of stock tanks, such as Streetcar Tank and Laguna Quates, are linked by a rugged infrastructure of jeep trails and a prominent pipeline. Technological development in the early 1960s is evidenced by the Dahlia Pumping Station and several mechanical landmarks like the Secundino Windmill and New Windmill. The map also captures local industrial sites, including a Gravel Pit near Middle Tanks, showing how the land was utilized for both resource extraction and grazing during this era.