1963 Map of Rio Pecos Ranch

About this map

The Waha Oil Field dominates this West Texas landscape, illustrating the intensive industrial footprint of petroleum extraction across the Chihuahuan Desert during the mid-20th century. A dense network of wells, pipelines, and dirt tracks reveals the organized development of the basin, contrasting sharply with the intermittent watercourses of Hackberry Draw and Coyanosa Draw. Along the northern edge of the sheet, the Pecos River serves as the primary artery for agricultural survival, flanked by the Imperial Ditch and the Grandfalls Canal. These irrigation features highlight the dual economy of the region, where water management for ranching and farming exists alongside mineral extraction. Further south, a remote Landing Strip and isolated landmarks like Twin Windmills provide evidence of the vast distances and specialized infrastructure required to manage these outlying ranch lands and industrial sites.