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1955 Map of Organ Peak

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Organ Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

Organ Peak and the high spires of the Organ Mountains dominate this mid-century topographic survey of the New Mexico landscape. The era’s intersection of tourism, industry, and defense is visible in the presence of Hayner Resort and the nearby Modoc Mine, while the vast eastern portion of the sheet is defined by the Fort Bliss Military Reservation and the White Sands Proving Ground. These military boundaries hem in the dramatic rock formations of The Needles and The Narrows, illustrating how post-war federal land use shaped the access and development of this high-desert terrain.

Water sources are critical landmarks in this environment, with numerous named springs such as Aguirre Spring, Dripping Springs, and Rock House Spring serving as vital hubs for early travelers and locals. Transportation is limited to rugged tracks like Dripping Springs Road and a small Airstrip near the resort. This landscape, from the steep ascent of Organ Needle to the depths of Fillmore Canyon, reflects a transition from early pioneer exploitation to modern institutional management.