1964 Map of Bonine Canyon

About this map

Bonine Canyon and the surrounding high desert of the New Mexico borderlands are defined by a network of drainage systems and isolated water sources in this mid-1960s survey. The landscape is marked by the border of Valencia and Catron Counties, where survival and ranching depend heavily on the scattered mechanical windmills that dot the terrain. These landmarks, including the Schoolhouse Windmill, Pens Windmill, and Lone Pine Windmill, suggest the locations of essential outposts and watering holes for livestock. This topography reveals a sparsely populated region where early development centered on the ranching life at places like Summers Ranch and the Cox Camp Windmill. The presence of Cebolla Canyon Creek and other deeply cut features like Goat Tank Canyon underscore the reliance on well-drilling technology to sustain the cattle industry across these remote mesas.