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1963 Map of Oil Center

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Oil Center
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

The Monument Jal Oil Field and surrounding petroleum grounds dominate this 1963 study of Lea County's arid landscape. The map reveals an industrial economy laid over an unforgiving terrain, where the San Simon Ridge and San Simon Swale provide the primary geographical structure. Water management is the defining human element here, seen in the numerous basins and tanks such as Urssey Tank, Flood Tank, and Rainy Tank, alongside the more substantial Rock Lake Reservoir.

A network of pipelines and service roads connects the West Wilson Oil Field and San Simon Oil Field, while traditional ranching persists at the San Simon Ranch. The most dramatic natural feature is the San Simon Sink, a significant depression in the southern portion of the sheet. This map captures the intersection of mid-century energy production and the persistent cattle-ranching culture of southeastern New Mexico.