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1961 Map of Orla SE

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Orla SE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

The Pecos River carves a green corridor through the arid Trans-Pecos landscape of West Texas, serving as the primary boundary between Reeves and Loving counties. During the early 1960s, this region was defined by the intersection of traditional cattle ranching and the expanding petroleum industry. The industrial footprint is evident in the sprawling Tunstill Oil Field and East Tunstill Oil Field, supported by a local refinery and a network of pipelines.

Transport and utility infrastructure cluster near the river, anchored by the Panhandle and Santa Fe railroad line. Settlement remains sparse, represented by small stations like Mason Station and Riverton. Water management for this dry environment is highlighted by features such as Big Tank, the Fourmile Draw drainage, and a Gaging Sta along the river, illustrating the vital importance of irrigation and water control in the Pecos Valley.