1918 Map of Columbus

About this map

Columbus serves as the focal point of this high-desert landscape just north of the United States Mexico Boundary Line. Surveyed in 1917, the map documents a critical border region during an era of military heightened awareness, with the El Paso and Southwestern railroad providing the primary artery for transit and commerce. The geography is dominated by the Tres Hermanas Mountains in the west, while the eastern plains are dotted with vital water sources such as Deans Well and Stiles Reservoir. Settlement patterns are defined by isolated outposts and educational centers like Sunnyside School and Mayfield School, which supported the ranching families at Stephenson Ranch and Rascon Ranch. This military survey captures the infrastructure of the borderlands, from the Deming Road to the precise markers along the New Mexico Chihuahua line.