1954 Map of Carracas

About this map

The Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad corridor follows the winding course of the San Juan River along the border of Colorado and New Mexico. This mid-century survey captures a landscape defined by the intersection of tribal land, state boundaries, and vital watercourses. The Southern Ute Indian Reservation spans the center of the sheet, while high ground is dominated by Mesa Sandoval and prominent peaks like Cerro del Zopilote. Small pockets of activity appear at Carracas near the state line and La Vega Redonda to the northeast. The terrain is deeply dissected by a network of drainages, including Gallegos Canyon and Arroyo Escondido, illustrating the complex topography that early settlers and railroad engineers navigated in this corner of Archuleta County.