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1964 Map of Muir Ranch

Name: 1964 Topographic Map of Muir Ranch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

Lordsburg Valley defines this arid landscape in southwestern New Mexico, where life and transit were dictated by the scarce water sources and the terrain of the Hidalgo and Grant county line. The ranching heritage of the area is evident in the naming of Muir Ranch and several family-named water features like Cooper Well and Brockman Dirt Tank. These landmarks point to a time when water management was the primary concern for survival in the high desert.

An Old Railroad Grade cuts across the valley, tracing a defunct transportation route that once linked these remote reaches to larger western markets. The map highlights the physical geography of the basin, from the drainage of Uhl Draw and Muir Draw to the elevations of Homestead Hill and Burro Mountain. These features, alongside riparian areas like Lordsburg Cienaga, offer a clear picture of how the natural environment shaped early settlement and industry in the region.