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1965 Map of Steins

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of Steins
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

The Southern Pacific railroad corridor anchors this mid-century look at the high desert terrain of Hidalgo County, where the settlement of Steins sits at the foot of the Peloncillo Mountains. The landscape is a study in early extractive industry and ranching, with several distinct mining operations including the North Star Mine, Carbonate Hill Mine, and Silver Hill Mine located in the western uplands. These mines and the Chalk Mine near Steins Creek suggest a legacy of mineral prospecting that shaped the local economy alongside the transport network.

To the east, the terrain transitions into flatter grazing lands punctuated by family-named landmarks like Smith Ranch and McCants Ranch. The presence of the Valley View Ch and the Cotton City Community Bldg indicates the centers of social life for the scattered rural population. Water management is a primary concern in this environment, evidenced by the numerous marked wells and the Walker Windmill, which served the livestock and residents near the base of Bobcat Hill.