1973 Map of Gladstone NW

About this map

The Santa Fe Trail (Cimmaron Cutoff) cuts a diagonal path across this high plains landscape in Union County, New Mexico. Tracing a historic transportation corridor, the map highlights the proximity of the trail to various water sources such as Palo Blanco Creek and Barela Canyon. The presence of an Old Railroad Grade further south indicates the evolving infrastructure of the region, where older wagon routes were eventually paralleled or replaced by rail. In the southeastern portion of the quadrangle, the Don Carlos Hills rise above the surrounding terrain, providing a significant landmark for those navigating the dry environment. Scattered improvements like Turley Well and several unnamed Springs and a Spring emphasize the critical importance of water management for ranching and travel in this arid corner of the American West during the early 1970s.