1981 Map of Deadman Canyon

About this map

The Southern Pacific railroad corridor defines the western edge of this desert landscape, passing through the settlement of Valmont and by a quiet Roadside Park. This 1981 edition shows the intersection of federal land management and infrastructure, where the White Sands National Monument and Ruins sit adjacent to the vast Fort Bliss Military Reservation (McGregor Range). To the east, the topography shifts dramatically into the Lincoln National Forest, marked by the steep descents of Dog Canyon and Deadman Canyon. Water management in this arid environment is evident through several named sources like Tony Tank, Laney Spring, and Langford Windmill. The map captures a moment when traditional ranching landmarks like the Fairchild Well existed alongside significant military and conservation boundaries.