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1963 Map of Casamero Lake

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Casamero Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

The Continental Divide snake through this high-desert landscape in McKinley County, defining a rugged terrain of mesas and buttes as it appeared in the early 1960s. At the heart of the region's commercial and social history sits the Borrego Pass Trading Post, a vital outpost in this arid environment. The map captures a mix of indigenous heritage and ranching life, noting a specific Indian Ruin north of Casamero Draw and numerous isolated water sources critical to the area's survival.

Water management and natural springs dictate the settlement pattern here, with names like Little Water Spring, Blue Water Spring, and Many Mexican Spring marking the sparse landscape. To the south, Casamero Lake provides a focal point near the winding Pack Trail. Prominent geological landmarks such as Wheat Grass Butte, Red Butte, and White Water Mesa serve as natural navigational aids across this expanse of the American Southwest.