1917 Map of Camel Mountain

About this map

Isolated cattle ranches and high desert terrain define this arid landscape along the international border between New Mexico and Chihuahua. Surveyed in 1917, the map illustrates the sparse settlement patterns of the era, where survival depended on localized water sources and family operations like the Log Cabin Ranch, POL Ranch, and the Birchfield Ranch. The northern section is dominated by the volcanic forms of Eagle Nest and the depressions of Indian Basin, while the southern reaches track the El Paso and Southwestern railroad line. This rail corridor connects the small siding at Arena to the broader regional economy. The eastern edge captures the border between Luna and Dona Ana counties, marked by the prominent silhouette of Camel Mountain and the rough, lava-scarred terrain of Malpais.