1954 Map of La Mesita Negra

About this map

Rio Puerco carves a central path through this mid-century New Mexico landscape, serving as a defining boundary for several historic land grants and reservations. The Rio Puerco Trading Post marks a key stop along the arterial highway, situated near the prominent volcanic landform of La Mesita Negra. This 1954 field survey illustrates a complex convergence of territorial boundaries, where the Cañoncito Navajo Indian Reservation meets the Town of Atrisco Grant and the Laguna Indian Reservation. To the south, the Pajarito Grant extends across the high desert terrain. The map records a network of established jeep trails and seasonal drainages like Cañada del Ojo and Cañada de los Apaches, providing a detailed look at the rural infrastructure and land management patterns of Bernalillo County before modern expansion.