1918 Map of Playas, 1961 Print
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1918 Map of Playas

USGS Topo · Published 1961

About this map

Playas Lake dominates the central basin of this New Mexico landscape, appearing as a seasonal catchment at the foot of the Animas Mountains. The mapping, conducted by surveyors like A.L. Ackers and W.R. Chenoweth just before 1920, captures the early transportation and ranching footprint of the Playas Valley. The El Paso and Southwestern railroad cuts across the northern terrain, connecting the small settlement of Playas and the rail stop at Antelope. Southward, the influence of early cattle operations is evident through markers like Whitmire Ranch and Whitmire Pass, providing a clear look at how the region's geography dictated the placement of water sources and transit corridors between the mountain ranges and the ephemeral lake bed.


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Map Details

Date Portrayed1918
Date Published1961
PublisherU.S. Geological Survey
Map TypeTopographic
Scale1:62,500
Physical Dimensions17 x 20.9 inches

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Source Details

CopyrightPublic Domain