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1954 Map of Carlsbad

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Carlsbad
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Alamogordo and the Sacramento Mountains dominate the western reach of this mid-century survey, where the Tularosa Valley meets federal lands at Holloman AFB and the Fort Bliss Military Reservation. The landscape transitions eastward across the Brokeoff Mountains and the high desert of the Lincoln National Forest before descending into the Pecos River valley. This water system is the lifeblood of the region, anchored by Lake McMillan and Avalon Lake, which supported the early agricultural developments near Artesia and Carlsbad.

The southeastern corner highlights the subterranean complexity of Carlsbad Caverns National Park along Guadalupe Ridge. Human settlement patterns are clearly defined by the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad line, which connects smaller communities like Atoka, Lakewood, and Malaga. Distinctive landmarks such as Wind Mountain and the McMillan Escarpment provide topographic context for researchers tracing the historical geography of Eddy and Otero counties.