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1940 Map of Carlsbad Caverns West

Name: 1940 Topographic Map of Carlsbad Caverns West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

The high desert canyons and limestone ridges of the Guadalupe Mountains dominate this 1940 landscape, surveyed by Max J. Gleissner and C. E. Walker. The settlement of Queen (Ruins) appears as a collection of remnants, while cattle ranching defines the human footprint across the rugged terrain, evidenced by family holdings like Montgomery Ranch, Sehermeyer Ranch, and XT Ranch. Water management is critical in this arid environment, marked by numerous named tanks such as Reed Tank and Putman Tank, alongside natural features like Sitting Bull Falls within the Sitting Bull Recreational Area.

Subterranean geography is particularly well-documented, with numerous caverns noted outside the main park boundary, including Lower Painted Grotto, Whistling Cave, and Hidden Cave. The map also captures early administrative and infrastructure points like the Carson Seep Ranger Sta and the Dark Canyon Lookout, providing a detailed view of the remote backcountry before mid-century developments altered the character of the northern Guadalupe range.