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1971 Map of Plug Hat Ranch

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of Plug Hat Ranch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Eagle Cliff and the surrounding high plains of Las Animas County define this landscape as it was documented in the early 1970s. The region is characterized by isolated cattle operations and seasonal watercourses, with Plug Hat Ranch and H Heart Ranch serving as primary landmarks in an area of sparse settlement. The presence of the Dry Creek School north of Alexander Mesa points to a time when rural education centers were vital hubs for widely dispersed ranching families.

Industrial activity is limited but evident through numerous wells and several drill holes scattered across the terrain, indicating subsurface exploration. Navigating the canyons and mesas, such as Cahill Canyon and Pinkney Hill, required utilizing a rugged Jeep Trail network. Notable natural features like the Alkali Holes and drainages including Johnny Creek and Aunt Jane Creek provide essential orientation for researchers studying the historical land use and topography of this high-desert environment.