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1966 Map of Laguna Ortiz

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of Laguna Ortiz
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

Santa Fe National Forest encompasses much of this 1960s landscape, where the high desert terrain is defined by deep canyons and prominent mesas. The geography is dominated by Valle Grande and the expansive Hurtado Mesa, with a network of drainages including Arroyo de El Begoso and Arroyo de Chamizal carving through the territory. These features suggest a region primarily used for ranching and seasonal grazing, supported by isolated water sources.

Evidence of human habitation and land use is centered around the Clark Ranch and White Ranch, while the namesake Laguna Ortiz serves as a central landmark. The map details a sophisticated water management system for the arid environment, featuring numerous livestock tanks and wells such as Crespin Well, Agua Bendita Tank, and Madrid Tank. Family names attached to locations like Cañon de los Diegos and Barbero Canyon provide significant leads for genealogists researching the historic land grants and settlement patterns of San Miguel County.