1972 Map of Akela

About this map

Akela stands as a lonely outpost in the high desert of Luna County, centered around a critical junction of transport and infrastructure in the early 1970s. The landscape of Akela Flats is defined by the parallel paths of the Southern Pacific railroad and the modern Akela Interchange, reflecting a mid-century shift from rail-dependent commerce to interstate travel. This survey meticulously documents the region's industrial and agricultural utility, from the Florida Pumping Sta and various pipelines to the numerous drill holes and borrow pits scattered across the arid terrain. Local landmarks such as the Matamoros Windmill and a solitary Radio Tower provide rare vertical relief in an otherwise flat expanse dedicated to resource extraction and transit.