1896 Map of Rio Grande

About this map

The international border between the United States and Mexico follows the winding path of the Rio Grande as it meanders southeast from El Paso County toward the Big Bend region. This 1907 reprint, based on 1891 topography and 1905 reclamation corrections, shows a landscape defined by the arrival of the railroad and the early development of agricultural settlements in the river valley. The Southern Pacific R. R. runs parallel to the river, serving as the primary corridor for commerce and transport. Small outposts like Fabens and Tornillo appear alongside the tracks, marking the beginning of organized irrigation and farming in this arid borderland. Survey markers, including BM 3607 and BM 3570, provide precise vertical control for this remote stretch of the Texas and Chihuahua frontier.