1967 Map of Mesito Reservoir

About this map

The Rio Grande carves through the landscape of Costilla County in this late 1960s study, defining the western edge of a region marked by geological transitions and land grants. The river's path is shadowed by the Grant Boundary, a significant line for local history researchers tracing property rights and original Spanish or Mexican land divisions. To the east, the Mesito Reservoir and its spillway collect the waters of Culebra Creek as it flows from the Sangre De Cristo foothills. The terrain is dominated by prominent elevations including Music Mesa, the Brownie Hills, and the San Luis Hills. Several locations labeled Prospect indicate historical mining interests near Sugar Loaf and within the enigmatic Death Valley, offering specific points of interest for those studying the area's mineral exploration history.