1964 Map of Tarpley Pass

About this map

The Hill Country State Natural Area anchors this landscape in the mid-1960s, showing a rugged terrain where the boundaries of Medina Co and Bandera Co meet. The hydrology of the region is defined by the winding Medina River and its numerous feeding streams like Winans Creek and Commissioners Creek. Notable water sources such as Indian Spring and Pear Tree Spring suggest the importance of reliable water in this karst topography. Ranching and recreational development are evident through the presence of El Paraiso Ranch and the Highland Waters community. Strategic points like Tarpley Pass and Barnes Gap navigate the elevations of Chalk Mountain and its surrounding hollows, reflecting the natural corridors used for travel through the Central Texas hills before modern highway expansion.