1949 Map of Morita

About this map

Natural Dam Salt Lake and the winding course of Mustang Draw characterize this West Texas landscape at the end of the 1930s. The region is defined by a sparse but established ranching economy, with named family holdings such as the Cauble Ranch, Hall Ranch, and Houston Ranch spread across the borders of Martin, Glasscock, and Howard Counties. The Texas and Pacific railroad serves as the primary industrial artery, passing through the small community of Morita and the stop at Trunk. Education for the rural population was anchored by the Cauble Sch and Sandwell Sch. The presence of Big Spring Airport and the Settles Addition in the northeast corner signals the expansion of nearby urban centers into this predominantly agricultural and desert terrain. Topographical details reveal a complex hydrology of salt lakes and ephemeral draws, including Beals Creek and Elbow Creek, which dictated the placement of early settlements and transportation routes.