1953 Map of Chimayo

About this map

Chimayo and its neighboring valleys appear here during a period of agricultural and communal stability in northern New Mexico. The settlement patterns follow the winding course of the Santa Cruz River and Rio Chiquito, where an intricate network of irrigation ditches supports the community. This 1953 field-checked survey reveals the deep cultural roots of the area, anchored by the Capilla de Santa Rita and smaller clusters like Los Pachecos and El Rincon de los Trujillos. Beyond the green river valleys, the landscape rises toward the Mesa de la Ceja and the expansive Sebastian Martin Grant. The map is characterized by its numerous named arroyos and cañadas, such as Cañada Ancha and Arroyo del Pueblo, which dictate the local topography and the placement of high-country jeep trails. A site labeled Pueblo Ruins north of the main valley hints at the much older human history layered into this high-desert terrain.