1891 Map of Bernal

About this map

The Rio Pecos carves a winding path through the heart of San Miguel County, anchoring a landscape defined by traditional Spanish-American settlements and a nascent rail economy. Surveyed in 1890, this territory highlights the arrival of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, which spurred the creation of San Miguel Station apart from the older plaza at San Miguel. The map documents established communities like Anton Chico and Upper Anton Chico along the river, while tracing the northern transport route through Old Bernal and Bernal near Bernal Hill. The terrain transition from high mesas like Mesa Agua Segura to deep canyons such as Canon Blanco illustrates why early travel was restricted to river valleys and specific gaps in the rimrock.