1886 Map of Mt. Taylor

About this map

Mt Taylor anchors this 1880s landscape, a period when the high volcanic peaks and sprawling mesas of northwestern New Mexico were still being formally documented by surveyors like A.P. Davis. The southern corridor is defined by the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, which follows the path of the San Jose River through settlements such as Laguna and Mc Cartys. This transit route is flanked by an extensive Lava Bed and the San Mateo Mts, contrasting with the more isolated northern reaches of Chacra Mesa. Evidence of early territorial life is found in established outposts like Old Fort Wingate and traditional agricultural settlements such as Cebolletta and Juan Tafoya. The map traces a complex network of seasonal watercourses like Chico Arroyo and Salado Creek that dictated the placement of small ranching communities and springs.