1971 Map of Goetsch Lake

About this map

Goetsch Ranch and its eponymous Goetsch Lake anchor the eastern slopes of this 1970s landscape, providing a rare look at the local ranching infrastructure of San Miguel County during this era. The topography is defined by the winding course of Tipton Creek, which cuts through the high country as it flows generally northward. This survey captures a moment when the boundaries of Las Vegas and Mora intersect in a sparsely settled region, highlighting the transition between these two prominent New Mexico districts. The land is marked by detailed elevation contours and secondary roads that connect isolated homesteads to the wider region, reflecting the enduring rural character of the high plains before further modernization changed the local footprint.