1963 Map of Shaeffer Ranch

About this map

The boundary between Duval Co and Jim Wells Co divides this South Texas ranchland during the early 1960s. The landscape is defined by an extensive network of water management features essential for cattle operations, including numerous named tanks like Mule Tank, Las Pilas Tank, and Salado Tank. The small settlement of Mendieta serves as a local hub near the San Jose Cem, while the namesake Shaeffer Ranch is positioned centrally among the brush-covered hills. A system of pipelines and a Pumping Station indicate the region's energy infrastructure, alongside traditional water-drawing sites such as the Bianca Windmill and Yellowtop Windmill. The drainage patterns of Agua Dulce Creek and Amargosa Creek are interrupted by modern engineering at Chittipin Dam No 1, illustrating the shift toward more permanent water storage in this arid environment.