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1961 Map of El Dado

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of El Dado
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

Scattered springs and seasonal lagunas define the high-desert landscape of this McKinley County region in the early 1960s. Archaeological sites such as Stone Ax Ruins and various unnamed Ruins dot the terrain, suggesting a long history of human habitation near natural water sources. The area is marked by distinctive geological features like White Mesa and Dwelling Cliff, while the southern portion is dominated by the volcanic silhouette of El Dado Peak.

Water management is central to the land's utility, evidenced by named tanks and wells like Brown Tank, Huerfano Well, and Ventana Well (Flowing). The presence of Coal Mine Spring hints at historical resource extraction, while family-named landmarks such as Felipe Tafoya Creek and Montoya Spring reflect the region's ranching heritage. Local drainage follows systems like San Isidro Arroyo and Voght Draw, cutting through a landscape punctuated by isolated heights like Sombrero Alto.