1965 Map of Chimney Lake

About this map

The boundary between Otero and Chaves counties bisects this high-desert landscape, where the rugged canyons of the Lincoln National Forest meet the flatter draws of the eastern plains. Ranching life defines the geography of the mid-1960s, with a network of dispersed homesteads and vital water infrastructure sustaining the area. Named sites like McGuire Ranch, Jernigan Ranch, and the Van Cleve Ranch serve as primary landmarks across the varied terrain. The map documents an essential reliance on artificial and natural water sources, ranging from Boyce Tank and Home Tank to the namesake Chimney Lake. Landforms such as Chimney Peak and One Tree Peak rise above a system of drainage features including Cuevo Creek and Barclay Draw, providing a detailed look at the hydrology of the New Mexico interior during this era.