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1971 Map of Amistad

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of Amistad
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Amistad stands at a high plains crossroads in Union County, New Mexico, serving as a hub for the surrounding ranching landscape. The settlement is defined by its central cluster of buildings and the nearby Amistad Cem, which provides a vital point of reference for genealogists tracing families in this corner of the state. The surrounding terrain is marked by essential water sources in an otherwise arid environment, ranging from natural features like Maestas Lake and Salt Lake to the scattered improvements of local ranchers.

Water management is the primary signature of human activity across these sections, evidenced by several family-named landmarks. Researchers can trace the placement of the Cain Ranch and various reliable water points such as Culp Well, Dave Well, and Ellis Well. In the southern reaches, the drainage of Monia Creek and several unnamed springs cut through the topography, illustrating the vital role of natural hydrology in determining the pattern of early 1970s land use and homesteading.