1972 Map of Ninetysix Ranch

About this map

The Van Horn Mountains dominate this high-desert landscape in Jeff Davis and Culberson Counties, where the namesake Ninetysix Ranch sits at the base of the foothills. This 1970s survey captures a transition between the elevated peaks and the broad Lobo Valley (Depression) to the east. Water management is critical in this arid terrain, evidenced by numerous named catchment features like Red Tank, Jeff Tank, and Baldy Tank scattered across the drainages. Evidence of human infrastructure is found in the Old Railroad Grade and Landing Strips that parallel Van Horn Creek. The presence of Prospects, Quarries, and a Gravel Pit near the northern boundary indicates the region's reliance on mineral extraction alongside traditional ranching. The map also traces the Indefinite Boundary through the canyons, where topography like Needle Peak and Hog Canyon define the difficult navigation of the Trans-Pecos region.