1971 Map of Spring Creek Ranch

About this map

Spring Creek Ranch and Houghton Ranch anchor this landscape of the Texas Panhandle, where the geography is defined by a critical network of water sources. The map reveals the ranching infrastructure necessary for survival in Hartley County, marked by numerous named water stations including the South Center Windmill, Hanbury Windmill, and Little Nelson Windmill. These features indicate a reliance on groundwater to support livestock across the undulating terrain. Surface water is represented by the West Fork Romero Creek and the drainage of Buck Arroyo, while the presence of Prospects and a Gravel Pit suggests early interest in the area's geological resources. The placement of Buttermilk Tank further emphasizes the importance of managed water points in this semi-arid environment during the early 1970s.