1948 Map of Elephant Mountain

About this map

Fort Bliss Military Reservation dominates this 1948 survey, illustrating the significant land use shift toward military training and testing in the mid-century New Mexico desert. The landscape is defined by the arid Tularosa Valley, where water management was paramount for ranching and military operations alike. Small-scale water infrastructure including McNew Feeder Tank, Flying Eagle Tank, and several reservoirs dot the terrain, while McNew West Camp represents the sparse residential or operational outposts in this isolated stretch of Otero County. The topographic prominence of Elephant Mountain provides a stark contrast to the surrounding valley floor, featuring an adjacent Quarry that points to localized resource extraction. This edition, compiled from 1944 aerial photography, captures the area during its post-war transition, reflecting the Army Map Service's detailed documentation of strategic western landscapes.