1948 Map of Orogrande South

About this map

The settlement of Orogrande sits at the northern edge of this arid landscape, serving as a primary point of human activity within the expansive Tularosa Valley. Much of the western territory is occupied by the Fort Bliss Military Reservation, a designation that reflects the post-war strategic significance of this New Mexico desert. Transportation through this remote terrain is dominated by the Southern Pacific railroad, which parallels the highway north toward Alamogordo. Outside of the military boundaries and the concentrated rail corridor, the landscape is sparsely populated, with the McGregor Ranch marking the northeastern corner. Essential water infrastructure for ranching and survival in the high desert is evidenced by various isolated features, such as Sulphur Tank, Road Tank, and a larger unnamed Reservoir near the southern boundary.