1963 Map of Manuelito

About this map

Manuelito serves as a central point in this high-desert landscape, where the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad and a main 2 Lane road parallel the course of the Puerco River. This corridor represents a vital transportation artery through McKinley County, evidenced by the presence of a Port of Entry and the proximity of small settlements like Defiance and Williams Acres. The map reveals a deeply eroded topography defined by named drainages such as Manuelito Canyon, Big Rock Canyon, and Squash Canyon. High features like Torrivio Mesa and Purty Rock overlook the valleys, while localized water sources such as Sand Spring and various wells indicate the sparse but essential water network required for habitation in this arid environment during the early 1960s.