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1954 Map of La Mesita Negra

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of La Mesita Negra
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

The winding course of the Rio Puerco serves as a central artery through this high-desert landscape, defining the boundaries between several significant land grants and tribal territories. This mid-century survey captures a complex intersection of land tenure, where the Canoncito Navajo Indian Reservation and Laguna Indian Reservation meet the expansive Town of Atrisco Grant.

Evidence of mid-century commerce and travel is centered on U.S. Route 66, which bisects the southern half of the map. Near the river crossing, the Rio Puerco Trading Post stands as a notable landmark for travelers and local residents alike. The terrain is marked by distinctive volcanic and geological formations such as La Mesita Negra and Cerro Colorado, while numerous jeep trails and seasonal drainages like Cañada del Ojo suggest the importance of local ranching and exploration routes across the open mesas.