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1945 Map of Tornillo

Name: 1945 Topographic Map of Tornillo
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1945
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1945

About this map

San Elizario Island dominates the alluvial valley floor on this mid-century survey, bounded by the Rio Grande and a complex network of man-made waterways. The landscape is defined by its international proximity, featuring the United States Mexico Border and a dedicated U S Customs station near the Guadalupe Bridge. The irrigation infrastructure essential for Chihuahuan Desert agriculture is meticulously documented, including the Tornillo Canal, Main Drain, and Alamo Alto Drain.

Transportation and small-scale settlement patterns follow the Southern Pacific railroad line, which connects the town of Tornillo with outlying points like Fabens and Isla. Notable local landmarks such as Adobe Houses and the small community of Polvo reflect the rural character of El Paso County during this era. The contrast between the grid-like drainage systems of the valley and the rising, undeveloped contour lines to the northeast illustrates the sharp boundary of habitable land along the river corridor.