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1971 Map of Noelke

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of Noelke
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1988
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1988

About this map

The Mertzon Oil Field dominates this 1970s West Texas landscape, illustrating the industrial infrastructure of the Permian Basin. The terrain is defined by a dense network of energy assets, including a Refinery, multiple Gas Wells, and an extensive system of pipelines crossing the arid draws. The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad cuts a diagonal line through the valley of Spring Creek, providing the essential transportation link for the region's petroleum and ranching output.

Water management in this dry environment is evidenced by numerous family-named landmarks and water sources. Local life and navigation centered on features like Jehovahs Witnesses Waterhole and Clay Waterhole, alongside a series of functional windmills such as Twentyfoot Windmill and the Upper Vinson Windmill. The map also captures the settlement of Noelke and prominent topographic markers like High Point Hill and Monument Hill, offering a clear picture of the rural infrastructure during a period of active oil exploration.