1892 Map of Corazon

About this map

San Miguel county land at the end of the nineteenth century is defined by its dramatic mesa topographies and the essential network of springs and streams that supported local ranching and settlement. Topographers J.B. Lippincott and Jos. Jacobs mapped this high-desert territory, recording the small villages and plazas that clustered near water sources. Significant settlements like Chaperito, Aguila, and La Cueva are situated along the lower valleys, while the interior is marked by prominent natural landmarks such as Carro Mesa, Mesa Montosa, and Yegu Mesa. The map illustrates a reliance on reliable water points in a demanding landscape, specifically noting several vital desert sources including Gallinas Spring, Concha Spring, and Cabra Spring. These landmarks and the Conchas River drainage system provided the necessary infrastructure for the early communities that dotted the canyons and plains of central New Mexico during this era.