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1965 Map of Patterson Lake

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of Patterson Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

Patterson Lake and its surrounding ranchlands characterize this mid-1960s landscape in Glasscock County, where the infrastructure of the cattle and oil industries dominates the terrain. The sheet provides a detailed look at the scattered family holdings of the era, including the Brunson Ranch, Riley Ranch, and Wrage Ranch. These operations were supported by a dense network of water sources, recorded here with specific names like Jackson Hole Windmill, Grandpa's Windmill, and the Caboose Windmill.

A distinct layer of industrial history is visible through the extensive oil field developments, marked by numerous oil wells and a complex system of pipelines that cross the draws. The presence of the North Bombsite Windmill and South Bombsite Windmill hints at the area's prior military or tactical use. Between the seasonal drainage of Meyers Draw and Thirtysix Draw, the map also identifies several gravel pits, essential for maintaining the local road networks through this arid ranching country.