1894 Map of Corazon

About this map

San Miguel county land at the close of the nineteenth century is defined by its dramatic mesa topographies and the crucial water sources that supported early territory life. High plateaus such as Carro Mesa, Yegua Mesa, and Mesa Montosa tower over a landscape carved by the Gallinas River and Conchas River. Settlement patterns follow these lifelines, with communities like Las Colonias, Chaperito, and La Cueva established near the riverbanks and various spring sites. The importance of reliable water is evident in the naming of landmarks like Concha Spring and Cabra Spring, which likely served as vital stops in this arid environment. Surveyed in 1890, the map documents a period before modern infrastructure, where travel was dictated by the natural corridors of the Aguila Cañada and the winding course of Salitre Arroyo.