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1962 Map of Ninetysix Ranch

Name: 1962 Topographic Map of Ninetysix Ranch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

Ninetysix Ranch serves as the focal point of this arid landscape in Grant County, New Mexico, where water management is the primary driver of human settlement. The 1962 survey reveals a complex network of ranching infrastructure, characterized by numerous water sources such as the Pendleton Windmill, Glaze Windmill, and Ash Windmill. Historical transportation routes are prominently represented by the Butterfield Trail, which cuts across the central portion of the map, following the natural contours of the land south of the Garrard Mountains.

Ephemeral water systems like Smith Draw and Langford Draw dominate the drainage patterns, feeding into larger features such as Ninetysix Creek. The presence of a Prospect in the mountains and various holding structures like Rincon Tank and Glaze Tank highlight the dual economy of mining and livestock grazing that defined this region of New Mexico during the mid-20th century. This map preserves the locations of working windmills and cattle facilities, including a specific Corral, providing a detailed record of high-desert land use.