1961 Map of Nutt

About this map

Nutt Mountain dominates the central landscape of this southern New Mexico region, where the high desert terrain transitions toward the fertile valley of the Rio Grande. In the early 1960s, the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad provided the primary industrial backbone for the small settlement of Nutt, while an Old Railroad Grade nearby hints at earlier, defunct transportation routes. Life in this arid environment centered on water sources and family holdings, evidenced by landmarks like Duncan Ranch, Southerland Well, and the spiritual landmark La Capilla de Don Silverio. The map illustrates the convergence of three counties—Sierra, Dona Ana, and Luna—across a landscape of deep arroyos and canyons, including Arroyo Jaralosa and Thirty-six Canyon. To the northeast, the presence of the Hatch Airport (Abandoned) reflects the changing needs of regional aviation during the mid-century era.