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1971 Map of Persimmon Gap

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of Persimmon Gap
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Big Bend National Park serves as the focal point for this 1970s survey, marking the northern gateway to this Chihuahuan Desert landscape. The boundary of the park is clearly delineated as it cuts across the southern portion of the sheet, encompassing the Persimmon Gap Ranger Station and the topographic bottleneck of Persimmon Gap. This passage through the Santiago Mountains has historically been a vital corridor for travel through the region's arid terrain.

Water sources, critical for both ranching and travelers, are identified by features like Edwards Well, Green Windmill, and numerous catchments such as Carney Tank. The ephemeral nature of the landscape is seen in the network of dry washes, including Javelina Draw, Maravillas Creek, and Bone Spring Draw. These labels, alongside a remote Landing Strip, document a period of transition between traditional Texas ranching and the conservation era of the national park.