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1970 Map of Prairieview NW

Name: 1970 Topographic Map of Prairieview NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

The Gladiola Southwest Oil Field and Gladiola South Oil Field dominate this corner of Lea County, revealing a landscape defined by petroleum extraction and ranching infrastructure in the early 1970s. Numerous Oil Wells and a central Pipeline illustrate the industrial footprint on the High Plains, while the survival of the King Cem provides a vital link for genealogists researching early settlers in the region.

Water management is the secondary story of this survey, evidenced by a dense network of family-named landmarks including the North Mizell Windmill, South Mizell Windmill, and Suddruth Windmill. These features, along with Eightmile Draw, highlight the necessity of groundwater access for the livestock operations that coexist with the oil industry. The map captures a moment when traditional land use met modern energy production, evidenced by the proximity of ranch windmills to modern Drill Holes.