1956 Map of Hope SE

About this map

The high plains of southeast New Mexico are defined here by a network of ranching homesteads and intermittent watercourses during the mid-1950s. Established landmarks like Eaton Ranch, Laney Ranch, and the Old Horner Place reveal the sparse but persistent settlement pattern of the Chihuahuan Desert landscape. The influence of early 20th-century infrastructure is visible in the decommissioned Old Railroad Grade and an Emergency Landing Field (Aband), reflecting the region's evolving transportation and aviation history. Water management, critical for livestock and survival in this arid environment, is meticulously documented through numerous named sources including the Eaton Well, Laney Well, and Section Six Well. These features, along with drainage paths like Eagle Draw and Catclaw Draw, provide essential context for researchers tracing land use and family history in this corner of Eddy County.