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1981 Map of Duran

Name: 1981 Topographic Map of Duran
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

The high plains of eastern Torrance County are dominated by the massive plateau of Duran Mesa and the prominent Trinchera Mesa to the south. In the early 1980s, the small settlement of Duran served as a key point along the Southern Pacific railroad, which cuts diagonally across the landscape. The infrastructure of this arid region is clearly defined by a network of vital water sources, including the Railroad Well and Valencia Well, which sustained local ranching and transit operations.

Between the mesas, the Valencia Hills create a complex topography marked by named crossings like Serape Pass and Roach Pass. Local landmarks such as Red Miller Point and Howard Mountain provide specific navigational anchors in an otherwise expansive terrain. The presence of two Landing Strips near the town site reflects the continued importance of regional connectivity in this portion of New Mexico.