1958 Map of Fort Sumner

Genealogists and local historians can trace numerous family-named landmarks, such as Marquez Ranch, Aguilar Ranch, and Williams Ranch, which illustrate the dispersed settlement pattern of the 1950s ranching economy. From the high elevations of the Pedernal Hills and Gallinas Peak in the west to the Conejos Mesa in the east, the map details a terrain carved by seasonal waterways like Arroyo Salado and Pintada Creek. A small portion of the Lincoln National Forest occupies the southwestern corner, marking the transition from open plains to mountainous timberland.