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1963 Map of Elk-Silver

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Elk-Silver
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation and Lincoln National Forest land meet in this Otero County landscape, characterized by high-elevation canyons and critical water sources. The settlement at Elk-Silver serves as a focal point along the floor of Elk Canyon, where the Solon Dam and a nearby Gravel Pit indicate localized infrastructure in an otherwise undeveloped area. The terrain is deeply incised by drainages such as Turkey Canyon and Indian Canyon, which provide natural corridors through the mountainous forest.

Water management is central to the area's utility, evidenced by several stock tanks and wells. Family-named or descriptive features like Dolan Well, Dolan Tank, and Charley Tank are scattered across the northern ridges, while Elk Springs and Silver Springs offer natural perennial sources. To the south, Camp Geronimo sits tucked away, reflecting the area's use for organized recreation or seasonal habitation within the forested valleys.