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1954 Map of La Mesita Negra

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of La Mesita Negra
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

Rio Puerco carves a central path through this New Mexico landscape, serving as a defining geographical and legal boundary between several significant land grants and tribal territories. In the mid-1950s, the Rio Puerco Trading Post stood as a key waypoint near the river crossing, situated at the intersection of traditional travel routes and modern transit. The map documents the complex intersection of the Canoncito Navajo Indian Reservation, the Laguna Indian Reservation (Antonio Sedillo Grant), and the expansive Town of Atrisco Grant.

Arid drainage features such as Canada del Ojo and Canada de los Apaches feed into the river valley, while prominent geological landmarks like La Mesita Negra and Cerro Colorado rise above the surrounding terrain. This survey reflects a period of established land divisions and sparse infrastructure, where Jeep Trails provide access to remote corners of the Pajarito Grant and localized industry is marked by a single Gravel Pit.