2010 Map of Wheeler Ranch

About this map

The high plains of Winkler County in the early 21st century are defined by the sparse infrastructure of large-scale cattle ranching. Large properties like Wheeler Ranch and Fernandes Ranch dominate the landscape, connected by a network of unimproved roads and survey lines. The most critical features for survival in this arid environment are the scattered watering points, including Fifteen Windmill, New Windmill, and Coyote Windmill. These structures, along with East Windmill and South Windmill, represent the essential water-management system required to maintain livestock across these vast holdings. The map illustrates a modern era of land use where historic ranching practices persist through highly localized water access points.