1950 Map of Lake Lucero SW

About this map

The San Andres Mountains dominate this 1950 landscape, a region defined by its transition from high desert peaks to the military and wildlife management zones of mid-century New Mexico. On the western slopes, the San Andres National Wildlife Refuge encompasses prominent summits like Goat Mountain and Black Mountain. The map illustrates a sparse but vital network of water sources essential for desert survival, including San Nicolas Spring, San Juan Spring, and Bear Canyon Well. East of the mountains, the terrain levels into the White Sands Proving Grounds, where isolated landmarks like Saunders Ranch and SK White Ranch appear alongside military infrastructure. The inclusion of the Fort Bliss Anti-Aircraft Range in the southeast corner reflects the area's significant role in Cold War-era defense and munitions testing, providing a clear record of the boundary between private ranching and federal military expansion.