1963 Map of Elk

About this map

Rio Peñasco winds through the heart of this high-elevation landscape, defining the local settlement pattern of Chaves and Otero counties. The small community of Elk sits along the river valley, supported by the nearby Elk Cem and the Crockett Ranch. Much of the southwestern portion of the map is managed as part of the Lincoln National Forest, where the terrain is deeply incised by a network of drainage features like Agua Chiquita Creek and Mathews Canyon. The reliance on local water sources in this arid environment is evident in the presence of Sixteen Springs, Paul Springs, and livestock infrastructure such as Mathews Tank No 1. Rising above the canyon systems, Wind Mountain serves as a prominent landmark in the northeastern corner, overlooking the complex series of draws and canyons that characterize this section of the Sacramento Mountains foothills.