1972 Map of Milnesand SW

About this map

The Vada Oil Field dominates this High Plains landscape, illustrating the industrial footprint of petroleum extraction in eastern New Mexico during the early 1970s. Spanning the boundary between Roosevelt and Lea counties, the area is defined by a dense network of energy infrastructure, including numerous oil wells and several pumping stations. A systematic grid of pipelines connects these extraction points, weaving through a terrain otherwise marked by scattered gravel pits and exploratory drill holes. The map captures a transition period in the region's energy economy, where traditional land use meets intensive industrial development. The stark arrangement of wells and transport lines provides a detailed look at the rural industrialization that characterized the Llano Estacado during this era of domestic energy expansion.