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1940 Map of Capitan Mountains

Name: 1940 Topographic Map of Capitan Mountains
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1949
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1949

About this map

The Lincoln National Forest dominates this landscape, defined by the towering Capitan Mountains and the prominent Capitan Peak. This mid-century survey reveals a rural economy centered on cattle ranching and government land management, with numerous family ranch holdings such as Merchant Ranch, Padilla Ranch, and Shoemaker Ranch spread across the canyon-cut terrain. To the south, the presence of the U S Marine Hospital Reservation near the Rio Bonito marks a significant institutional footprint in the high desert of Lincoln County.

Infrastructure in this era is sparse, consisting largely of trails and isolated outposts. The Richardson Sch and Lookout Block Ranger Sta serve the scattered population, while landmarks like the Fox and Fur Lodge suggest early recreational or specialized industry in the high country. Natural water sources are critical for the area's viability, evidenced by the named springs and ephemeral lakes like Deep Lake and Cactus Flat Lake found in the northern flats.