2013 Map of Tatum South

About this map

Tatum and the smaller settlement of McDonald anchor this section of the High Plains, where the landscape is defined by the practical infrastructure of ranching and the grid of rural roads. The area is marked by numerous family and locational landmarks, specifically windmills that served as critical water sources across the Llano Estacado. These features, such as Camps Windmill, Keenum Windmill, and Hardrock Windmill, trace the history of land use and livestock management in Lea County. The natural topography is relatively subtle, with the notable exception of Eightmile Draw, which cuts across the northeast corner of the sheet. Modern transportation follows established routes, with NM-206 running north-south through the center of the survey, connecting the local communities to the broader region. The map provides a clear look at the intersection of town life and the wide-open ranching country just before the mid-2010s.