1981 Map of Capitol Peak

About this map

White Sands Missile Range dominates this landscape along the border of Socorro and Sierra counties, where high desert elevations meet restricted military territory. The terrain is defined by the Mockingbird Mountains and the prominent summit of Capitol Peak, with steep drainage through Johnson Canyon into the surrounding flats. Resource extraction and water management are evident throughout this arid sector, represented by the Mockingbird Gap Mine, various prospects, and a network of remote watering points like Burris Well and Bassa Four Mine Tank. The presence of the NW 70 Site and a Radio Tower underscores the region's mid-century role in aerospace testing and communication infrastructure, marking a period when once-remote ranching lands were repurposed for national defense.