1971 Map of Turney Draw SE

About this map

Wardlaw Ranch and Turner Ranch anchor this corner of the Edwards Plateau, where the landscape is defined by the deeply incised drainage systems of Buffalo Draw and Wittenburg Draw. Mapped in the early 1970s, the terrain reveals a transition toward industrial land use as exploration for natural resources moved into these remote ranchlands. A concentration of Oil Wells and multiple Drill Holes located north of the confluence of these draws indicate the mid-century expansion of the Texas energy sector into the more isolated reaches of the state. The prevalence of several locations simply marked Tank highlights the critical importance of water management for livestock in this arid environment, providing a clear picture of the infrastructure required to sustain ranching life before the late-century intensification of the region.