1971 Map of Terlingua

About this map

Terlingua and the neighboring mercury mining settlement at Study Butte stand as the primary anchors in this arid landscape, documented just as modern recreational interest began to redefine the region. The map reveals the intricate geography of the Chihuahuan Desert, where the perennial Terlingua Creek carves a path through high-relief terrain including Sawmill Mountain and the Rattlesnake Mountains. Evidence of the area's industrial past is visible in the numerous Mines and an Aerial Tramway near the base of Maverick Mountain, alongside various scattered Ruins that mark earlier habitations. A significant portion of the southeastern quadrant is dedicated to Big Bend National Park, highlighting the early boundaries of this protected wilderness. Water sources, vital in this climate, are meticulously noted, from Joe Black Spring to Cigar Spring, illustrating how local topography dictated the locations of early outposts and the Terlingua Landing Strip.