1954 Map of Indian Gulch

About this map

Hornitos City and the historic gold mining districts of the Guadalupe Mountains define this mid-century landscape. The map reveals an intensive history of extraction, with numerous workings like the Saint Marys Mine near Quartz Mtn and the Pocahontas Mine situated in Brushy Canyon. This 1950s record captures the region as water management infrastructure began to reshape the foothills, evidenced by the Mariposa Creek Dam (Spillway 440) and Bear Creek Dam (Spillway 414). Rural life is anchored by local institutions such as White Rock School and the Cathay Fire Control Sta. The terrain transitions from the alluvial plains near LeGrand in the southwest to the high ridges of Schultz Mountain, reflecting the area's dual character as both a ranching frontier and a storied mining territory.