1971 Map of Barela

About this map

The settlement of Barela and its neighboring Barela Cem occupy the high plains of Las Animas County, where the southern reaches of Colorado meet a rugged network of mesas and deep canyons. This 1971 field-checked survey reveals an environment defined by high-altitude cattle ranching and early energy extraction, evidenced by numerous Gas Wells and the Mararski Mine. The topography is dominated by the massive landforms of Barela Mesa and Burro Mesa, which are incised by dramatic drainage systems like Ocana Canyon and Medina Canyon. Water management is critical in this arid terrain, shown through named improvements such as Hermosa Dam and remote stock-watering points like Dominguez Lake and Scavarda Lake. Significant landmarks for backcountry navigation include the Airway Beacon on Burro Mesa and the San Francisco Pass, providing a window into the infrastructure of the mid-20th-century American West.