1968 Map of Cow Canyon

About this map

The Pablo Montoya Grant Boundary bisects this high desert landscape, marking a legacy of land tenure that predates the modern county lines of San Miguel and Quay counties. The terrain is defined by the massive plateau of Mesa Rica, which gives way to a complex network of drainages including Vigil Canyon, Cow Canyon, and Hondo Canyon. This late-1960s survey illustrates a specialized ranching economy dependent on dispersed water infrastructure, such as Hondo Tank, Elliott Tank, and the Spring Canyon Windmill. Along the southern edge, the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific railroad tracks and a major Pipeline run parallel to Arroyo de las Palomas, following the level ground south of the mesa. The presence of features like the North Privo Windmill and South Privo Tank suggests localized family or ranch names tied to specific grazing allotments in this arid territory.