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1967 Map of Elsie Canyon

Name: 1967 Topographic Map of Elsie Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

The high desert drainage systems along the Lincoln and Chaves County line define this 1960s landscape, where intermittent water sources dictate the placement of human activity. The map reveals an arid ranching economy centered around isolated outposts like Salt Creek Ranch, Porter Ranch, and Jones Ranch. These homesteads are connected by a network of unimproved dirt roads that navigate a complex topography of deeply incised ravines, including Elsie Canyon, Cherry Canyon, and Catclaw Canyon.

Surface water is a scarce and vital resource, represented by features such as Antelope Lake, Chimney Lake, and specialized infrastructure like the Sand Windmill and Buck Pasture Well. The winding path of Salt Creek cuts through the northern sections, while Blackwater Canyon anchors the southern boundary. This survey captures a moment in the mid-20th century before significant modern development, showing the original surveyor's notes on fence lines and the essential water tanks that sustained the region's livestock.