1893 Map of Las Cruces

About this map

Las Cruces serves as the central hub of this late 19th-century landscape, positioned where the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad parallels the winding course of the Rio Grande. This era of the Mesilla Valley is defined by a dense string of agricultural settlements along the river, including Mesilla, Santa Tomas, and San Miguel. To the north, the presence of Fort Selden reflects the region's military history, while to the east, the Organ Mountains rise sharply, punctuated by Organ City and San Augustin Peak. The map captures a critical period of infrastructure development, showing the intersection of major rail lines like the Southern Pacific Railroad at Afton, which facilitated the growth of rural outposts such as Chamberino and Dios near the New Mexico Texas Boundary Line.