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1940 Map of Carlsbad Caverns West

Name: 1940 Topographic Map of Carlsbad Caverns West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Queen Cem and the small settlement of Queen anchor the western reaches of this 1940 survey, documenting the rugged landscape of southern New Mexico before modern development. The map reveals a network of high-altitude ranching outposts such as Montgomery Ranch, Queen Ranch, and Schermeryer Ranch, linked by primitive trails through the Guadalupe Mountains. The prevalence of water features like Sitting Bull Spring and Carson Seep Ranger Sta underscores the critical importance of reliable water sources for both livestock and forestry management in this arid environment.

Subsurface wonders are already noted across the terrain, from the Painted Grotto and Whistling Cave to the 2000 foot Cave. To the north, the Sitting Bull Recreational Area highlights early federal land management around Sitting Bull Falls, while the southern border tracks the winding Black River as it approaches the Texas state line. The map captures a transition point where traditional ranching life met the early days of conservation and recreational interest in the Guadalupe backcountry.