1978 Map of Leasburg

About this map

Fort Selden State Monument stands near the banks of the Rio Grande, anchoring the northern end of the fertile Mesilla Valley. In the late 1970s, this desert landscape was defined by the intersection of high-desert terrain and the life-giving waters of the river, managed by the Leasburg Dam and its associated Leasburg Canal. The map reveals the intricate water management system required for valley agriculture, including the American Drain and Selden Drain. To the west, the Robledo Mountains rise sharply, dominated by peaks like Lookout Peak and Robledo Mountain. The settlement at Radium Springs and the nearby Leasburg Dam State Park highlight the area's role as a recreation and transit point along the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad, which parallels the river's path through the canyonlands.