1955 Map of Las Cruces

About this map

Las Cruces and the Mesilla Valley form the central axis of this mid-century New Mexican landscape, where the Rio Grande provides a lifeline through the desert. The map captures a period of significant military and scientific expansion, notably showing the White Sands Missile Range and the NASA Antenna Test Facility established in the arid basins. To the west, Deming serves as a major hub at the junction of the Southern Pacific railroad and U S Highway 80. The terrain is defined by dramatic volcanic and tectonic features, from the jagged Organ Mountains to the distinct Aden Crater and The Malpais. Local history is preserved in the placement of small agricultural and railway settlements like Salem, Rincon, and Mesquite, along with recreational sites such as Rock Hound State Park and Caballo Lake State Park.