1918 Map of Playas

About this map

Playas Lake dominates this high-desert basin, stretching as a massive ephemeral feature through the center of the survey. The landscape is defined by the sharp vertical rise of the Animas Mountains to the west, where Whitmire Pass provides a navigable break in the range. This 1917-1918 survey documents the infrastructure of the borderlands during a period of expanding rail and ranching operations. The El Paso and Southwestern railroad cuts across the northern flats, supporting isolated settlements like Playas and Antelope. South of the lake, the presence of Whitmire Ranch indicates the early pastoral development of this arid region. The boundary between Grant and Hidalgo Counties is clearly marked, recording the administrative layout of this corner of New Mexico shortly after statehood.