1972 Map of Van Horn Wells

About this map

Van Horn Wells marks a point of historical significance in this arid Trans-Pecos landscape, where the Southern Pacific railroad cuts through the high desert floor. The terrain is defined by the steep rises of the Van Horn Mountains and the Wylie Mountains, which frame a dramatic geological sink known as the Lobo Valley. This era of the early 1970s shows a landscape of specialized ranching and transportation, with the Farmer Ranch and Waddell Ranch maintaining a presence alongside a remote Landing Strip. Water remains the primary constraint for survival here, as evidenced by the intermittent course of Wild Horse Draw and the reliance on a scattered Water Tank. Local landmarks like Heliograph Hill suggest the area's strategic topography, while the isolated Grave near the historic wells offers a quiet detail for genealogists researching West Texas history.