1988 Map of Horseshoe Bend NW

About this map

The high desert plains of the Lincoln County and Chaves County border are defined by a network of drainage systems and isolated water sources. This late-twentieth-century survey highlights a landscape where survival and land use were centered on remote outposts like Fifty-six Well, Pruett Well, and Louie Well. These named sites, often associated with specific families or local history, represent the critical infrastructure of the New Mexico ranching interior. The map reveals the intricate natural topography of the Pecos Valley region, showing how the land is carved by features such as Blackwater Canyon, Big Draw, and Tecolote Draw. Near the center, Border Hill rises as a significant landmark along the county line, while the southern reaches are marked by the winding path of Coyote Canyon. The scarcity of settlements and the prominence of these wells underscore the enduring importance of water rights and ranching boundaries in this part of the state.