1952 Map of Belen

About this map

The Belen Grant and Nicolas Duran de Chavez Grant dominate this mid-century landscape, illustrating the enduring influence of historic land divisions on New Mexico's development. This 1952 survey centers on the city of Belen, where the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad serves as a primary industrial artery. The intricate network of irrigation and drainage, including the High Line Canal and the Gabaldon Drain, reveals the region's managed agricultural character along the Rio Grande valley. Beyond the urban core, small settlements like Los Chavez and Bacaville are mapped in detail alongside local landmarks such as the Drive-in Theater and the Terrace Grove Cem. To the west, the terrain transitions into more open range, marked by the Camino Del Llano and scattered windmills, contrasting with the dense infrastructure of the valley floor.