1984 Map of Espanola

About this map

Espanola Valley agriculture and Puebloan heritage define this mid-1980s landscape at the confluence of the Rio Grande and the Santa Cruz River. The map meticulously details the complex irrigation network vital to the high desert, including the Vigil Ditch, La Mesilla Ditch, and Ortiz Ditch, which support traditional farming communities such as Riverside, Santo Niño, and La Mesilla. The proximity of the Santa Clara Indian Reservation and San Ildefonso Indian Reservation highlights the cultural significance of the region, anchored by the Santa Clara Pueblo and San Ildefonso Pueblo. To the west, the prominent landform of Black Mesa rises above the river valley, near the Black Mesa Cem. Transportation history is visible in the Old Railroad Grade running parallel to the river, while the growth of Espanola is marked by modern infrastructure like the Jr High School and various sewage disposal facilities.