1896 Map of Polvo

About this map

The Rio Grande defines this 1895 survey of the Texas-Mexico borderlands, tracing the United States Mexico Boundary Line through the desert of Presidio County. This sparsely populated frontier landscape is anchored by riverside settlements like Polvo and Mulato, where the river provided a vital lifeline for small communities and livestock operations. The terrain to the northeast is defined by a series of deep drainages, including Bofecillos Canyon and Tapado Canyon, which cut through high mesas toward the river valley. Numerous family-named sites such as Burros Ranch and Ellozo Ranch are documented, suggesting a period of early ranching activity before the establishment of more modern regional infrastructure. The map provides a clear record of the early international border, marking the division between Texas and Chihuahua at the turn of the century.