1976 Map of Holloman SW

About this map

Walters Ranch stands as a focal point on this orthophotograph, situated where the distinct textures of the gypsum dunes meet the scrub of the high desert. This 1976 aerial imagery, processed by the Geological Survey in cooperation with the Soil Conservation Service, provides a raw visual record of the land surface in Otero County before later developments. The contrast between the brilliant white sands and the darker, structured terrain to the east is sharp, punctuated by the White Sands Gate. This map serves as an empirical record of land management and desert boundaries during the mid-1970s, capturing the specific footprints of ranching and government access points in this unique New Mexico environment.