1982 Map of Kim

About this map

The Purgatoire River carves a deep path through the high plains of southern Colorado, defining the dramatic topography of Purgatoire Canyon and Chacuaco Canyon. This early 1980s survey captures a landscape where the vast Mesa de Maya and Black Mesa dominate the horizon near the New Mexico and Oklahoma borders. The map records the trace of the historic Santa Fe Trail cutting across the central plains, providing a significant navigational marker for regional history. Small ranching settlements like Kim, Villegreen, and Tobe anchor the rural infrastructure, while the Colorado and Southern railroad runs through the southwestern corner near Branson. The survey also highlights numerous drainages such as Carrizo Creek and Mustang Creek, which are critical to the water-scarce environment of Las Animas County and Baca County.