1965 Map of Blanca SE

About this map

Sangre De Cristo and the San Luis Hills define the high-desert character of this Costilla County landscape, captured during a mid-1960s U.S. Geological Survey project. The terrain is marked by volcanic landforms like the Basaltic Hills and the essential water infrastructure of the San Luis Valley, including the Trinchera Canal and Trinchera Creek. This map reveals a sparse but functional grid of property lines and unimproved roads, where local life centered on water management and ranching. Small-scale infrastructure like the isolated Substa and various Wells reflect the logistical efforts required to sustain agriculture and power in this arid environment. The map provides a precise record of the topography and land use patterns before modern intensification, showing the relationship between natural volcanic formations and human-made irrigation systems.