1896 Map of Shafter

About this map

The silver mining district of Shafter anchors this high-desert landscape, where the Chinati Mountains and Cienega Mountains dominate the terrain north of the international border. In this 1895 survey, the silver operations at Ross Mine and nearby shafts signify the industrial activity of the era, contrasting with the expansive ranching culture defined by isolated outposts like Poole's Ranch, Cibolo Ranch, and Penitas Ranch. Along the southern edge, the Rio Grande marks the boundary between the United States and Mexico, where the settlements of Presidio and Ojinaga face one another across the river.