1952 Map of Hagerman SW

About this map

Rio Felix meanders through this arid landscape of Chaves County, defining a territory of isolated ranches and early water engineering. The survey captures a moment of transition where the natural drainage of Walnut Creek meets the industrial infrastructure of the Hagerman Canal, a system vital for agricultural irrigation in the Pecos Valley. Settlement patterns are sparse, anchored by family-named landmarks such as Hurst Ranch and Hill Ranch, which serve as primary coordinates in the wide terrain. Grounded in 1952 field work with 1975 revisions, the map identifies the Lake Arthur Cemetery in the southern reaches and the Artesia North Base triangulation point, reflecting the dual history of local family life and the meticulous geodetic surveying of the American West.