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1978 Map of Las Cruces

Name: 1978 Topographic Map of Las Cruces
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The Rio Grande valley floor anchors this 1970s view of Las Cruces, revealing a landscape where historic land grants and modern expansion meet. The western edge of the city is defined by the Mesilla Civil Colony Tract No 2 and the adjacent Fairacres settlement, while the central urban core is interlaced with a complex network of irrigation features including the Leasburg Canal and various laterals like the Dora Ana Lateral. This system reflects the agricultural heritage of the Mesilla Valley even as residential growth pushes toward the rugged Apache Canyon.

Educational and institutional landmarks are prominent, notably the extensive grounds of New Mexico State Univ and various local campuses like Mayfield High Sch. Transportation is dominated by the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad corridor, which parallels the river and connects the city to Mesilla Park and the traditional community of Tortugas. Numerous cemeteries, such as Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cem and St Joseph Cemetery, provide valuable data points for genealogical research in this historic crossroads.