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1954 Map of Capilla Peak

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Capilla Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

The Manzano Mountains dominate this high-altitude landscape within the Cibola National Forest, where the terrain is carved by a complex network of canyons. The 1954 field check captures the area’s utility as a site for both scientific observation and recreation, centered on Capilla Peak with its Lookout Tower, Observatory, and established Picnic Grounds. These landmarks are connected by the Crest Trail, which traverses the high ridges between Osha Peak and Gallo Peak.

Evidence of historical settlement and movement appears in the Valencia and Torrance County borderlands, including the small settlement at Ojo la Casa and the marked site of McKinley Place (Aband). The map details a landscape of deep ravines like Cañon de la Mina and Cañon del Trigo, reflecting a rugged region where narrow drainage paths and mountain springs dictate the pattern of human presence and travel during the mid-20th century.