Emory Peak: U.S. Geological Survey, 1959[1967]

• Title: Emory Peak, Texas
• Author: U.S. Geological Survey
  
• Date: 1959 [1967]
• Condition: Age related toning - minute loss of paper at issued folds. Paper slightly creased and disordered in some areas from previous handling
• Inches: 31 1/2 x 18 1/2 [Image]
• Centimeters: 80.01 x 46.99 [Image]
• Product ID: 308414

This large-format topographic map of Emory Peak covers a portion of the Big Bend region in western Texas. Published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the map is rendered at a scale of 1:250,000, allowing for detailed representation of both natural and man-made features across a broad expanse of rugged terrain. The map’s primary focus is the area surrounding Emory Peak, the highest point in Big Bend National Park, which is clearly marked near the center of the sheet. The terrain is depicted through fine brown contour lines that illustrate elevation changes, with the density of these lines revealing the steep slopes and mountainous character of the region. Major landforms such as the Chisos Mountains, Sierra del Carmen, and the Rio Grande River valley are easily identifiable, and the map’s relief shading further enhances the three-dimensional effect of the landscape.

Hydrological features, including rivers, streams, and springs, are delineated in blue, with the Rio Grande forming a prominent boundary along the southern edge of the map. Vegetation and park boundaries are indicated with subtle green shading, highlighting the extent of Big Bend National Park and other protected areas. Numerous place names, ranches, and smaller settlements are labeled in black, while roads and trails are shown with various dashed and solid lines according to their type and significance. The map also includes a detailed legend, scale bars, and a location diagram inset in the lower margin, which situates the Emory Peak quadrangle within the broader context of Texas and the western United States.

This map serves as both a practical tool for navigation and captures the intricate topography and sparse human imprint of one of Texas’s most dramatic landscapes.

Background on Creator

Created by Congress on March 3, 1879, the USGS was originally dedicated to exploring the geology and mineral potential of western lands. The USGS revolutionized surveying. Before the USGS was formed, most mapping in the United States was done by military expeditions and several independent government surveys. Upon its creation, the USGS established a comprehensive approach to surveying and worked to classify public lands by examining their geological structure, mineral resources, and products. This scientific appraisal of land potential and mineral resources changed the way government approached surveying. It also encouraged conservation, economic expansion, and more efficient development across the nation.

The USGS has been making topographic maps of Texas since the 1880s. The early maps show roads, towns and settlements, and political boundaries, though the physical features are only generalized. Advances in the field of geology enabled scientists to determine the nature of the rocks and minerals that make up the earth and specify how they were formed. Additionally, scientists were better able to identify coal, oil, and gas resources and assess their potential for development.