1972 Map of Bookout Ranch

About this map

Bookout Ranch and the surrounding high desert of San Miguel County are defined by a network of seasonal watercourses flowing toward the southern reaches of Conchas Lake. This early 1970s landscape is largely shaped by the cattle industry, where the rugged topography of North Mesa and the expansive Pablo Montoya grant land dictate the placement of ranching outposts. Evidence of earlier habitation is found at Chavez (Ruins) near the banks of Cuervo Creek, while a small Cem remains as a quiet marker of the families who settled this arid terrain. The map details the drainage patterns of Garita Creek, Pino Creek, and Manga Creek, illustrating how the geography of the Pecos River basin transitions into the reservoir system. These labels provide essential context for understanding the 20th-century ranching life and the enduring legacy of Spanish land grants in New Mexico.