1952 Map of Connor Well

About this map

The arid high plains of Chaves County are defined by their scattered water sources and early petroleum exploration in this mid-century survey. Connor Well serves as a central landmark in a landscape where survival and industry both depend on subsurface resources. The terrain near Malmstrom is dotted with numerous small Tanks, reflecting the essential water management required for ranching in the New Mexico desert. The presence of multiple locations marked (Aban'd), including several Oil Wells, suggests a period of transition as early drilling efforts moved across the quadrangle. In the southeastern corner, the Horse Camp Wells represent another vital water point for local operations. This map documents a specific phase of land use where the search for oil and the maintenance of livestock intersected across a network of unimproved roads and survey lines.