1948 Map of Black Top Mountain

About this map

The Hardscrabble Mountains and the arid expanse of the White Sands Proving Ground dominate this mid-century landscape in the high desert. Settlement is defined by isolated ranching outposts and strategic military zones, including the Alamogordo Bombing Range and the Ordnance Institute of Technology. Significant family-held landmarks such as the Miller Ranch Headquarters, Potter Ranch Headquarters, and Hardin Ranch indicate a life tied to the region's scarce water sources like Bearden Spring and White Spring. The topography transitions from the eastern Alkali Flat to the prominent peaks of Strawberry Peak and Black Top Mountain. Economic activity is represented by the Black Bear Mine and several wells including Fleming Well and Murray Well, showing the reliance on subsurface resources in this high-altitude terrain.