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1970 Map of Tatum South

Name: 1970 Topographic Map of Tatum South
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

Tatum and the nearby settlement of McDonald anchor this 1970 landscape, which illustrates the intersection of ranching traditions and modern infrastructure in Lea County. The terrain is characterized by broad stretches of the Llano Estacado, where essential water sources like Camps Windmill, Keenum Windmill, and Hardrock Windmill are scattered along the natural drainage of Eightmile Draw. These windmills, often named for local ranching families, served as vital landmarks for survival and navigation across the high plains.

The mid-century development of the region is evident in the presence of a Pipeline, multiple oil wells, and a Radio Tower. Local recreation and community life are represented by the Athletic Fields and a Drive-in Theater south of the main town site. This survey, based on 1968 aerial photography and 1970 planetable field work, documents a period when the traditional cattle economy was increasingly complemented by the expanding energy industry.