1996 Map of Leasburg

About this map

Fort Selden State Monument and the ruins of Fort Selden occupy a strategic position overlooking the Rio Grande as it enters the Mesilla Valley. By the late 20th century, this area of the Rincon Valley was defined by sophisticated water management systems, including the Leasburg Dam, the Leasburg Canal, and the American Canal Drain. These structures facilitated agriculture alongside the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad line. The map captures the sharp contrast between the irrigated valley floor and the arid peaks of the Robledo Mountains, where Lookout Peak and Robledo Mountain dominate the skyline. In the northeast, the New Mexico State University Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center marks a significant institutional presence in the desert landscape near Radium Springs and the small settlement of Leasburg.