1952 Map of Belen NW

About this map

The Nicolas Duran De Chavez Grant dominates this arid landscape west of the Rio Grande, where the winding course of the Rio Puerco carves through the terrain. In the early 1950s, this area was defined by a sparse ranching infrastructure essential for survival in the high desert. Scattered windmills like the Pueblo Windmill, Popalito Windmill, and the Shearing Corral Windmill provided critical water sources, while a series of catchment basins including Guzman Reservoir and Gabaladon Reservoir managed seasonal runoff. The topography is marked by the Monte Belen Arroyo and diverse smaller features like Metate Reservoir and Escondido Reservoir. This survey highlights the complex land grant boundaries and the reliance on localized water management systems during the mid-century era, illustrating how the natural drainage of the Rio Puerco basin dictated the placement of livestock improvements and boundary lines.