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1968 Map of Palomas Ranch SW

Name: 1968 Topographic Map of Palomas Ranch SW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1982
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1982

About this map

Deep in the South Texas brush country during the late 1960s, the boundary between Jim Hogg Co and Brooks Co bisects a landscape defined by ranching infrastructure and water access. The map reveals a sophisticated network of water sources essential for livestock in this semi-arid environment, characterized by numerous named windmills and artesian wells. Notable sites include the Rayosa Well (Flowing) and Lindero Well (Flowing), which indicate naturally pressurized groundwater, a critical resource for local landholders.

The distribution of these features, from the Certificado Windmill in the north to the San Javier de Aluera Windmill in the south, underscores the historical division of large ranching tracts. Smaller features like the Gravel Pit and various fence lines trace the working nature of the land. This survey provides a precise look at the rural hydrology and property markers that shaped the economy of the Rio Grande Plain before modern development.