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1962 Map of Lake Valley

Name: 1962 Topographic Map of Lake Valley
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

Mimbres Mountains and the northern reaches of the Cooks Range dominate this Sierra County landscape, where the legacy of silver mining and high-desert ranching is clearly etched. Near the eastern edge, the legendary Bridal Chamber Mine and the Dude Mine reflect the district's industrial past, supported by an Old Railroad Grade that once connected these remote workings to broader markets. The survey captures a network of family-held operations, from the P Latham Ranch near Schoolhouse Mountain to the White Rock Ranch and Graham Ranch further south.

Water sources are the primary drivers of settlement here, with numerous improvements like the Mule Springs Windmill and Bear Springs Windmill punctuating the arid terrain. The map also traces complex county lines, showing where Sierra and Luna counties meet near China Creek. For genealogists, the presence of a Cem near the mining works and named landmarks like Abernathy Draw and Paige Draw provide specific points of reference for early 20th-century residents.