1971 Map of Clifton House

About this map

The historical Clifton House site serves as a focal point in this high plains landscape south of Raton. This area is deeply tied to the movement of people and goods, situated within the Beaubien and Miranda (Maxwell) land grant. The mapping of the Old Santa Fe Trail and its approximate secondary routes highlights the enduring legacy of the West's most famous wagon road. Near Dillon, the presence of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Grade marks the shift from animal-powered transport to the rail era. The terrain is defined by dramatic elevations like Black Mesa and the Clifton Hills, which overlook the Canadian River and Raton Creek. Local water management is visible at the Davis Reservoir, while various labels for an Old Railroad Grade and an Abandoned airfield suggest a landscape in constant transition.