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1959 Map of Aztec

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Aztec
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

Aztec Ruins Nat Mon anchors the settlement of Aztec in this 1950s survey, illustrating a landscape defined by the convergence of high-desert terrain and vital water sources. The Animas River corridor serves as the primary artery for both transportation and agriculture, followed closely by the tracks of the Denver and Rio Grande Western R R. Small outposts such as Riverside, Inca, and Cedar Hill line this transit route, marking the expansion of San Juan County before modern development intensified.

Industrial and natural landmarks are scattered throughout the mesas and canyons, from the McCoy Ave Sch to the remote Knickerbocker Peaks. The map captures the complex drainage systems of Knickerbocker Arroyo and Hampton Arroyo, alongside man-made features like the Pumping Station and the Aztec and Western R R. This record preserves the mid-century character of northern New Mexico, where the legacy of the San Juan River and ancestral sites meet the infrastructure of the rail era.