1964 Map of Perkins Lake

About this map

Industrial development across the West Texas desert defines this landscape at the intersection of Crane and Upton counties. The central feature is the extensive Oil Field that punctuates the arid terrain between Concho Bluff and Landreth Draw. A complex network of pipelines and countless Oil Wells shows the intensive resource extraction of the mid-1960s, while numerous family-named landmarks such as the Pee Wee Windmill, Shilie Windmill, and Blackeye Windmill reflect the area's ranching heritage. The rare presence of surface water at Perkins Lake in the north and the shifting sands of the Dune to the southwest highlight the environmental extremes of the Permian Basin. This survey documents the transition from traditional ranching operations, like the Glass and Everitt Ranch, to a modern economy dominated by petroleum production.