1957 Map of Grants SE

About this map

The Malpais dominates this corner of New Mexico, where ancient lava flows create a stark, basaltic plain known locally as Lava and La Vega. The landscape is a study in geological contrast, as the dark volcanic fields of El Medano meet the rising sandstone heights of Las Ventanas Ridge and the flat-topped Horace Mesa. This 1950s survey captures the region just before significant interstate development, showing the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad following the path of the Rio San Jose through the northern corridor. In the southeastern portion, the Acoma Pueblo Indian Reservation boundary is clearly delineated, marking ancestral lands against the surrounding terrain. Vital water sources like Rancho del Padre Spring and Laguna del Chical appear as essential landmarks for navigation and survival in this arid environment.