1965 Map of Ross Canyon

About this map

Ross Canyon cuts deeply into the High Plains of the Texas Panhandle, creating a sharp transition between the rugged breaklands and the level plateau in Briscoe County. The landscape is defined by the contrast between the winding drainage of Ross Canyon to the north and the expansive agricultural plains to the south, where numerous Well and wells dot the gridded terrain. Settlement is sparse, anchored primarily by the McMurtry Ranch which sits at the edge of the canyon breaks. Evidence of the mid-century infrastructure required to maintain these isolated ranching and farming operations is present through landmarks like the Radio Tower and various unimproved trails that traverse the caprock edge. This survey documents the intersection of natural erosion and human utility in a region defined by its groundwater and livestock history.