2012 Map of Van Horn Wells

About this map

Van Horn Wells sits at the heart of this Trans-Pecos landscape, marking a vital water point in the arid terrain of Lobo Valley. The map illustrates a ranching economy defined by isolated outposts such as Farmer Ranch and Waddell Ranch, connected by a network of long, straight desert roads like Lobo Rd and 101 Rd. The topography is dominated by the seasonal hydrology of Eagle Flat Draw and the meandering path of Wild Horse Creek, which drain toward the valley floor. To the south, Heliograph Hill rises as a prominent landmark, its name a nod to the historical use of signaling stations in this expansive territory. This 2012 survey reveals how the modern highway system follows the same corridors established by these early desert water sources and cattle operations.