1954 Map of Chilili

About this map

Chilili Grant dominates the central landscape of this 1954 survey, preserving the legacy of a Spanish land grant at the foot of the Manzano Mountains. The settlement pattern reflects a deeply rooted ranching culture, with family-named outposts such as Ballinger Ranch, Dunn Place, and Thompson Place scattered across the high terrain. The distinction between Old Chilili and the more modern Chilili provides a clear view of how this mountain community evolved over generations. The arid landscape is defined by its drainages, including the Arroyo de Chilili and Arroyo de Gallegos, which dictated the location of vital infrastructure. Numerous windmills, such as Windmill 6612 and Windmill 6564, are meticulously marked, indicating the essential role of groundwater for the survival of these high-altitude ranching operations during the mid-20th century.