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1953 Map of Alire

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Alire
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

Alire stands at the center of this 1950s high-desert landscape in Northern New Mexico, situated along the upper reaches of the Arroyo Blanco. The settlement is marked by its small local Cem, indicating a long-standing family presence in the area before the modernization of the mid-20th century. The terrain is defined by dramatic changes in elevation, transitioning from the deep Cañon de los Tanques up to the broad expanse of Mesa de los Viejos.

Water management is central to life and ranching here, evidenced by numerous named improvements such as Trujillo Tank, Salazar Tank, and Garcia Tank. These water sources, alongside Parrot Spring and Iron Spring, supported the local economy within and bordering the Carson National Forest. The inclusion of a Micro Wave Station reflects the early integration of telecommunications infrastructure into this remote section of Rio Arriba County, even as traditional land use patterns persisted.