1954 Map of Clovis

About this map

Clovis and its neighboring High Plains settlements anchor this mid-century survey of the Llano Estacado, where the vast drainage networks of Blackwater Draw and Running Water Draw cross the New Mexico and Texas border. The map highlights a critical junction of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad, with industrial and military hubs like Cannon AFB and Cameo station defining the local economy. Beyond the larger hubs of Hereford and Portales, the landscape is dotted with smaller rural communities such as Lazbuddie and St Vrain, many of which were established as rail stops or centers for dryland farming. The dramatic geological break of The Caprock is visible in the northwest, while the southern reach of the map is defined by the Sand Hills and the saline waters of Salt Lake. This record captures the region during a period of agricultural and military expansion, before significant changes in modern water management and land use altered the local geography.