1961 Map of Hickman Ranch

About this map

Hickman Ranch and Scott Ranch anchor this arid Socorro County landscape, illustrating the remote ranching operations of the high desert during the mid-20th century. The terrain is defined by a dense network of drainage systems, most notably the long stretch of Milligan Gulch and the winding course of San Juan Canyon. These seasonal waterways create a complex topography of ridges and breaks, marked by survey points such as Vabm Sheep and Vabm Donna. The map reveals a land shaped by water erosion and sparse human footprint, where unimproved roads follow the natural contours of Red Canyon and North Canyon. Compiled from 1958 photography and updated with 1978 aerial data, this study documents the livestock-driven economy and land use patterns in the foothills of the Magdalena Mountains.