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1970 Map of Rankin SE

Name: 1970 Topographic Map of Rankin SE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Noelke Creek serves as the primary drainage through this corner of West Texas, where the 1970 landscape is defined by the infrastructure of ranching and early petroleum exploration. The map detail highlights an extensive network of family-named water sources and landmarks, such as Santa Rosa Windmill, Schlinke Windmill, and the Noelke Ranch. The geography is characterized by numerous catchment basins, including Government Tank, Pool Tank, and Lost Tank, which were essential for managing livestock in this arid environment.

Industrial footprints appear in the form of several Drill Hole markers and Gravel Pit sites, signaling the diversification of land use beyond traditional grazing. The intersection of Upton, Reagan, and Crockett counties is clearly delineated, showing an Indefinite Boundary that reflects the complexities of surveying this open range. This map provides a clear look at the working landscape of the Edwards Plateau before modern developments altered the original ranch boundaries.