1966 Map of Carson Trading Post

About this map

The Carson Trading Post serves as a primary landmark in this high-desert landscape of San Juan County during the mid-1960s. The settlement pattern here is sparse, defined by essential outposts like the Huerfano Reservation Dormitory and the infrastructure required for resource extraction. The southern portion of the map is dominated by the Bisti Oil Field, where numerous oil wells, drill holes, and a network of pipelines illustrate the industrial character of the era. The terrain is deeply incised by dry washes and canyons, most notably Gallegos Canyon and its West Fork, which drain toward the northwest. Local transportation routes provide connections to nearby hubs, with distances noted to Simpson Trading Post and Farmington, reflecting the isolation and distances inherent to this San Juan Basin territory before modern highway expansions.