1940 Map of El Paso Gap

About this map

The Guadalupe Mountains dominate this high-altitude landscape, where the rugged interaction between New Mexico and Texas is defined by deep canyons and isolated ranching outposts. Cattle ranching infrastructure is central to the area's geography, with dozens of catchments like Ora Lewis Tanks and Pickett Tanks supporting remote operations such as Irabarne Ranch and Shattuck Ranch. The presence of the Queen Sch and Dog Canyon Sch suggests small, scattered communities served by the Carlsbad Road, which snakes through the high country. Deep incisions like Big Dog Canyon and Last Chance Canyon slice through the limestone plateaus, creating a complex terrain of ridges including Shattuck Ridge and Plowman Ridge. Notable landmarks like El Paso Gap and the Old Post Place anchor the history of movement through these mountain passes.