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1948 Map of Bingham

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Bingham
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

The Oscura Mountains and Chupadera Mesa define this high-desert landscape during a pivotal transition in New Mexico's history. By the late 1940s, traditional ranching and mining operations were increasingly overshadowed by federal defense needs. The southern half of the map is dominated by the White Sands Proving Ground and the Alamogordo Bombing Range, areas that forever changed the character of the region.

Genealogists will find a wealth of local ranch names, including the Williams Ranch Headquarters, Pearson Ranch, and Romero Ranch. Meanwhile, local mining history is represented by the Desert Rose Mine, Royal Flush Mine, and several other operations situated near the Bingham Post Office. The reliance on subsurface water is evident through the dozens of identified wells and tanks, such as Sanchez Well and McDougal Tank, which were vital for survival in this arid environment before the further expansion of military boundaries.