1892 Map of Mount Carrizo

About this map

Pinon Canyon dominates the northwestern portion of this 1890s survey, illustrating the complex drainage patterns of the high plains along the border between Las Animas and Baca counties. The landscape is defined by its watercourses, which served as vital landmarks for early ranchers and travelers in this corner of Colorado. To the north, Two Butte Creek and Mustard Creek carve through the terrain, while the southern reaches are marked by the converging paths of West Carrizo Creek and East Carrizo Creek. This reconnaissance-style mapping shows the topography as it was understood before significant modern development, emphasizing the natural draws like Freezeout Creek that dictated the placement of early routes and homesteads in a region where water was the primary driver of settlement.