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1961 Map of Mesa Cortada

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Mesa Cortada
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

The high desert landscape of McKinley County is defined by its dramatic mesas and water-dependent ranching history. Rancho de la Punta and isolated outposts like Michael Ranch suggest a sparse settlement pattern tied to seasonal grazing and access to water sources like the Flowing Well and Ojo Navajo. The land is carved by a complex network of ephemeral drainages, including the wide Arroyo Chico and San Miguel Creek, which flow around massive topographic features such as the Mesa Cortada and the Battleship formation.

In the southern portion of the quadrangle, the high ground rises into the Cibola National Forest, marked by the prominent peaks of Cerro Colorado and Cerro Chavez. This 1961 survey provides a clear view of the land before modern development, showing the winding Trail systems and fence lines that crisscross the Ignacio Chavez and Felipe Tafoya land grants. An isolated Oil Well in the central basin points to early energy exploration amidst the traditional livestock holdings of the Jaramillo Ranch.