1965 Map of Chimney Lake

About this map

The high desert landscape of the Lincoln National Forest at the boundary of Otero and Chaves counties reveals a world shaped by water management and ranching. During the mid-1960s, this area was defined by a network of isolated outposts such as McGuire Ranch and Jernigan Ranch, connected by unimproved roads through a complex system of drainages. The presence of Trouble Well and Wright Well, along with cattle tanks like Boyce Tank and Bar X Tank, underscores the critical importance of water infrastructure for livestock in this arid environment.