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1956 Map of Mesa Aparejo

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Mesa Aparejo
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Romero Ranch and Frost Ranch anchor a landscape defined by an extensive network of water catchment systems and seasonal drainage channels in the mid-1950s. This region, straddling the border between Valencia and Socorro counties, is characterized by its high plateaus and distinct arroyo systems like Arroyo Salado and Arroyo Pato. The mapping of family-named landmarks such as Yriart Ranch and Saladito Ranch provides a clear record of land use and livestock operations during this era.

The presence of scattered infrastructure, including the Dead Cow Windmill and Garley Windmill, highlights the reliance on groundwater in this arid environment. Significant topographical features like the Sierra Lucero and Mesa Aparejo dominate the western and central portions of the map, while numerous tanks, such as Alderete Tank and Esperanza Tank, indicate a carefully managed hydraulic landscape essential for the local ranching economy.