1981 Map of Little Black Peak

About this map

The Malpais dominates this 1980s orthophotomap, where ancient volcanic activity is starkly preserved in the dark, textured expanse of lava flows. Rising from the center of this field is the namesake Little Black Peak, a prominent landmark within the Tularosa Basin landscape. The map reveals the vital importance of water management in this arid environment, marked by a system of named windmills and stock tanks such as Malpais Windmill, Red Lake Windmill, and Billy Bob Tank. Human presence is further established by working ranchlands, including the Gaidher Ranch and Brock Ranch, which are connected by primitive transportation routes like Iron Mine Road. This hybrid orthophoto provides a unique visual of the transition between the basin floor and the surrounding high desert terrain near the Socorro and Lincoln County line.