1964 Map of Red Lakes

About this map

Industrial energy production and sparse desert resources define this mid-century West Texas landscape in Ector County. The terrain is dominated by the T X L Oil Field and the Lawson Oil Field, which are crisscrossed by an extensive network of pipelines and service roads. Within this petroleum-driven environment, water management is essential for both industry and ranching, as evidenced by features like Red Lakes, King Lake, and catchment points such as Claypit Tank and Red Tank. Scattered windmills, including the Number Two Windmill and Steel Rim Windmill, provide critical water access across the dry flats. Small-scale resource extraction is also visible at several Gravel Pit sites, while the proximity to Goldsmith indicates the region's connection to the broader Permian Basin economy. The map provides a detailed view of these infrastructure patterns before later decades of intensified expansion.