1944 Map of Sycamore Ranch

About this map

The Rio Grande serves as the international dividing line in this 1944 War Department survey, documenting a landscape defined by ranching and vital water infrastructure along the Texas-Mexico border. On the American side, large agricultural operations like Sycamore Ranch, Rancho Rio Grande, and Rancho Garza are established near the fertile riverbanks, supported by the Maverick Co Canal. The Mexican interior features a series of interconnected settlements and arroyos, including San Carlos, Palestina Nueva, and San Vicente. This era shows a dependence on seasonal water sources like Arroyo de las Vacas and artificial impoundments such as Novies Reservoir and Presa de San Miguel. The presence of the Ferrocarriles Nacionales de Mejico south of the border highlights the importance of rail transport for connecting these river settlements to larger commerce centers in Coahuila.