1967 Map of Fort Garland SW

About this map

The Sangre De Cristo Grant dominates this high-altitude landscape in Costilla County, where water management is the primary shaper of the terrain. The presence of the Sangre De Cristo Ditch, Trinchera Canal, and Highline Canal reveals an era focused on directing mountain runoff for irrigation across the basin floor. This network of man-made waterways contrasts with the natural flow of Ojito Creek and the southern Willow Creek Reservoir, marking the transition from the rugged Basaltic Hills to the agricultural flats. Remote aviation infrastructure, including the Escheman Landing Strips and additional Landing Strips, suggests the logistical challenges of accessing this high-desert environment in the late 1960s. A network of Jeep Trails provides the only passage through the steep contours of the southeastern corner, illustrating the limited ground transportation in this sparsely settled region.