1978 Map of Artesia

About this map

Artesia serves as the central hub of this late-1970s landscape, where the agricultural valley of the Pecos River meets the expansive energy fields of southeast New Mexico. The map reveals a high density of petroleum infrastructure, including the Greyburg Oil Field, Artesia Oil Field, and Empire Oil Field, illustrating the region's reliance on mineral extraction. Running parallel to the river, the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad connects smaller settlements like Lake Arthur, Espuela, and Dayton. To the south, the waters of Lake McMillan and Avalon Lake dominate the drainage system, while numerous ephemeral channels such as Fourmile Draw and Cottonwood Draw carve through the western plains. This survey captures a moment when traditional ranching and rail-based commerce coexisted with a maturing oil and gas industry, evident in landmarks like the Municipal Airport and the sprawling grid of section lines that define local land use.