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1968 Map of Pitchfork Flats

Name: 1968 Topographic Map of Pitchfork Flats
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

Pitchfork Flats anchors this West Texas landscape, defined by a network of water-drawing infrastructure essential for ranching in the late 1960s. The map documents numerous named water sources, including the Owens Windmill, Dugout Windmill, and Pitchfork Flats Windmill, indicating a reliance on groundwater for livestock in an area characterized by deep drainage systems like Wall Canyon and Lynn Canyon.

The complex terrain is carved by the South Wichita River and North Croton Creek, with distinctive landmarks such as Dog Town Mtn rising above the plains. Cultural features are sparse but significant for genealogy and local history, specifically the named windmills that often reflect family or ranch holdings, such as the Ratcliff Pen Windmill and Hollywood Windmill. Multiple drill holes scattered throughout the canyons point to the era's subterranean exploration.