1968 Map of Phantom Banks

About this map

Phantom Banks and the surrounding high desert of Eddy County reveal a landscape defined by the search for water and resources in the late 1960s. The terrain is deeply incised by Brushy Draw and Tucker Draw, leading toward the complex topography of the banks. Human activity in this arid environment is marked by numerous water catchments like Big Seep Tank, Cockleberry Tank, and Park Tank, which supported the livestock operations at Steeple Ranch. Beyond ranching, the map documents the industrial footprint of the era, including an Oil Well and a concentration of a Drill Hole sites, alongside specialized landmarks such as Target Windmill and Gyp Windmill. A network of simple trails, including a Jeep Trail, provides the primary access through this remote section of southeastern New Mexico.