1982 Map of Las Cruces

About this map

The Rio Grande valley serves as the central artery for this high-desert landscape, where the fertile floodplains of the Mesilla Civil Colony Tract No 1 and Brazito Grant contrast sharply with the surrounding arid peaks. Historically significant landmarks such as Fort Selden State Monument and the church of Santo Tomas anchor the region's heritage, while the sprawling campus of New Mexico State University marks its mid-century growth. To the east, the dramatic silhouette of the Organ Mountains separates the valley from the high-security operations of the White Sands Missile Range and the White Sands Test Facility (NASA). The presence of numerous mining operations like the Silver King Mine and Black Prince Mine in the foothills, alongside the corridor of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad, illustrates the enduring relationship between mineral extraction and transportation in the Southwest.