1957 Map of Grants

About this map

Grants sits at the base of a complex volcanic and sedimentary landscape, serving as a vital stop along the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad in the late 1950s. The settlement pattern is defined by the valley of the Rio San Jose, which separates the town from the stark, dark expanse of The Malpais and its Lava flows to the south. To the north and east, the dramatic elevation of Grants Ridge and Horace Mesa dominates the horizon, with the latter bordering the Acoma Pueblo Indian Land. This survey captures the town during a period of industrial activity, evidenced by a Sewage Disposal plant and a local High Sch. The presence of several mines and a Gravel Pit near Lobo Canyon suggests the economic importance of the surrounding geology during this era of New Mexico's development.