1963 Map of Orphan Annie Rock

About this map

Continental Divide winds through this high-altitude landscape in McKinley County, defining the drainage patterns of the arid terrain. The map centers on the distinctive geological landmark of Orphan Annie Rock, which lends its name to a cluster of local improvements including Orphan Annie Well and Orphan Annie Tank. These features suggest a modest ranching economy reliant on carefully managed water sources in a region dominated by intermittent watercourses like Sandoval Arroyo and Inditos Draw. The presence of the Escondido Ranch along the eastern slopes provides a specific point of interest for those researching land use and rural settlement in the early 1960s. The survey illustrates the sparse infrastructure typical of this part of New Mexico, where unimproved roads and remote wells were the primary human imprints on the land.