1972 Map of Square Top Mountain

About this map

Square Top Mountain and Rattlesnake Butte dominate this West Texas landscape in the early 1970s, where the topography of Upton County transitions between high mesas and carved drainage channels. The industrial character of the region is defined by a dense network of energy infrastructure, evidenced by numerous Oil Wells, Drill Holes, and a complex system of pipelines that traverse the terrain. Transportation through these high plains is anchored by the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad, which cuts a straight diagonal path across the southern half of the quadrangle. Natural water features like China Draw and Fivemile Creek indicate the seasonal flow patterns that have shaped the arid environment, providing a stark contrast to the rigid lines of the rail and petroleum corridors. This survey offers a precise view of the mid-century oil and gas expansion that continues to define the geography of the Permian Basin.