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1952 Map of La Joya NW

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of La Joya NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

Sevilleta Grant dominates this 1952 topographic study, showcasing a vast stretch of arid terrain in New Mexico's Socorro County. The landscape is defined by the dramatic ascent of the Sierra Ladrones in the southwest, while the eastern edge is marked by the course of the Rio Puerco. This area represents a critical corridor for historical transportation, with the route of El Camino Real following the valley floor alongside the Pan American Highway.

The mapping reveals the seasonal water patterns of the high desert, traced through features like Mariano Draw and Cañada Colorado, as well as the essential infrastructure for ranching such as scattered windmills and storage tanks. The survey also captures the intersection of major land divisions, including the New Mexico Principal Meridian and the North Boundary Sevilleta Grant, providing a detailed view of these historical boundaries as they existed in the early 1950s.