1965 Map of Pinon Ranch

About this map

Piñon Ranch and its namesake Piñon Well anchor this high-desert landscape in southeastern New Mexico during the mid-1960s. The terrain is defined by the sharp transition of The Rim, where the eastern edge of the quadrangle rises into the Lincoln National Forest. This area shows a sophisticated system of water management essential for ranching in an arid climate, with numerous named catchments such as Woods Tank, Hooten Tank, and Crim Tank distributed across the drainage basins of Piñon Creek and Little Collins Draw. The map documents the boundary between Chaves and Otero counties as it traverses the Collins Hills, providing a clear look at the infrastructure of the era, including a prominent Pipeline that cuts across the northern canyons and high ridges.