Loading map...

1961 Map of Hospah

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Hospah
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

Hospah Oil Field defines the industrial character of this high desert landscape, appearing here as it was surveyed in the early 1960s. The settlement of Hospah is supported by a dedicated Landing Strip and a network of unimproved roads that trace the undulating terrain of the San Juan Basin. The region’s ranching and energy-extraction roots are evident in the numerous water management features such as Sandoval Lake and a series of livestock tanks including Road Tank, Indian Tank, and Escondido Tank.

Named landmarks like Jake Chee Windmill and Bull Camp Windmill suggest family-run operations and localized water sources essential for survival in this arid environment. Significant natural features including Bobcat Pass and Gumbo Point provide navigational markers through a system of drainages led by the Sandoval Arroyo and Sand Arroyo. To the east, the small settlement of Lucero sits near the headwaters of the Alfredo Padilla Arroyo, illustrating the scattered nature of human habitation in McKinley County during this era.