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1973 Map of Garcia Creek

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of Garcia Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

Garcia Creek and its many tributaries, including Bushnell Creek and Pinabetes Creek, carve through the high plains of Union County in the early 1970s. This landscape is defined by the drainage systems that feed into the Tramperos Creek basin, with topographic features like Mesita and Orphan Hill rising above the surrounding draws. The map documents a sparsely populated ranching environment where water sources are critical, marked by various springs and wells scattered across the terrain.

Genealogists and local historians will find value in the specific locations of the Garcia Plaza Cem and Ojo Bonito Cem, which anchor the history of early Spanish-American settlement in this portion of Northeast New Mexico. Evidence of remote habitation and land use is visible at the Blue Front Ranch, while the presence of a Gravel Pit and numerous Jeep Trails suggests the industrial and transport needs of a rural economy dependent on high-clearance access through the draws.