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1940 Map of College Peaks

Name: 1940 Topographic Map of College Peaks
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1940
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1940

About this map

The United States Mexico Arizona Sonora Boundary Line anchors the southern edge of this tactical survey, highlighting the international frontier in the years before the Second World War. The landscape is dominated by the massive landholding of the San Bernardino Grant and a network of remote family cattle operations. Water security is the primary concern of the region, evidenced by the numerous reservoirs, wells, and cisterns supporting the Slaughters Ranch San Bernardino and the Bar M Ranch (South).

Transport through the Sulphur Springs Valley and across the desert is facilitated by the El Paso and Southwestern Railroad, which serves remote points like Lee Siding and Cazador Siding. The terrain rises sharply from the valley floor to the prominent heights of North College Peak and South College Peak, while lower down, specialized sites like a Stone Quarry near Wells Ranch and various gas engines at watering holes indicate the early industrial footprint in this arid borderland.