1961 Map of Guadalupe

About this map

Guadalupe and its surrounding canyonlands are documented here in the early 1960s, revealing a landscape defined by volcanic landforms and intermittent water sources. The settlement sits near the Guadalupe Cem at the confluence of several significant drainages, including Cañon Guadalupe and the Rio Puerco. The topography is marked by numerous cerros, or isolated hills, such as Cerro de Guadalupe and Cerro Chamisa Losa, which rise above the surrounding flats. Water remains the critical factor for life in this arid region, evidenced by the many named springs like Guadalupe Springs and Ojo del Padre. The western portion of the map covers the Grant Boundary where the land ascends into the Cibola National Forest and the Ignacio Chavez area. A Gaging Station on the Rio Puerco indicates the importance of monitoring the erratic flow of these desert waterways.