1982 Map of Capulin Mountain

About this map

The volcanic landscape of Union County is dominated by the distinctive profile of Capulin Mountain National Monument and the massive Sierra Grande shield volcano. This 1982 survey illustrates a transition from the rugged mesa country of the Dry Cimarron River valley in the north to the wide high plains to the south. Historically significant transportation routes converge here, most notably the legendary Santa Fe Trail and the Fort Union Road, which share the landscape with the Colorado and Southern railroad line. Small prairie settlements like Folsom, Des Moines, and Grenville anchor the local ranching economy. The map also captures the Four Corners-adjacent borders where New Mexico meets Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas, featuring landforms like Rabbit Ear Mountain and the expansive Black Mesa State Park near the state lines.