1970 Map of Sevenmile Corner

About this map

The settlement ruins of Upland sit in the northwest corner of this West Texas landscape, a testament to the shifting fortunes of Upton County ranching and early petroleum interests. Captured in the early 1970s, the map reveals a transition from traditional livestock raising to intensive industrial exploration. The terrain is defined by the winding course of China Draw and the presence of numerous family-named landmarks like Tippet Ranch and the Joe Bailey Windmill. These features, alongside the Duke Hill Windmill, reflect the critical importance of water access in an arid environment. The map also documents the proliferation of energy infrastructure at Sevenmile Corner, where countless drill holes and oil wells dot the landscape. This intersection of historic ranching life and modern resource extraction is punctuated by smaller industrial sites such as a Gravel Pit, providing a detailed look at the rural economy of the Permian Basin era.