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1972 Map of Mesquite Spring

Name: 1972 Topographic Map of Mesquite Spring
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1975
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1975

About this map

The Rio Grande defines the southwestern edge of this Chihuahuan Desert landscape, serving as the international border between the United States and Mexico. This 1970s survey captures a sparsely populated region where water sources like Mesquite Spring and Catclaw Spring were essential for life and livestock. The map documents the convergence of several county lines, including Hudspeth, Culberson, and Jeff Davis, often marked by an Indefinite Boundary through the canyons.

A network of rugged paths, labeled simply as Jeep Trail or Trail, connects isolated landmarks such as Palmas Well and the small settlement at Sixty Six. The terrain is characterized by deep incisions like Eagle Canyon and China Canyon, which funnel seasonal runoff toward the Green River. One of the most distinctive geological features is The Box, a sharp constriction in the river valley near the border, illustrating the difficult passage through this Trans-Pecos environment.