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1961 Map of Indian Bluff

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Indian Bluff
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

Indian Bluff stands as a prominent topographical feature in this section of the New Mexico high plains, where the border between Lincoln County and Chaves County bisects a landscape of deep canyons and seasonal water sources. The early 1960s ranching economy is clearly visible through numerous family-named outposts, including Corn Ranch in the north and the Waller Ranch and Waller Ranch East Camp to the south. This era relied heavily on groundwater management, evidenced by the distribution of sites like Barbara Well and East Cherry Valley Well.

A complex drainage system defines the local geography, with Crooked Creek and Rio Felix cutting through the terrain alongside named draws like Antelope Draw. Transportation and remote access are marked by the presence of a Landing Strip and isolated camps such as Twin Butte Camp, reflecting the vast distances between established settlements and the specialized infrastructure required for high-desert cattle operations.