1972 Map of Riley Canyon

About this map

The Purgatoire River carves a deep path through this section of Colorado, joined by numerous drainage systems including Ninemile Canyon and Riley Canyon. This landscape is defined by its water sources in an otherwise arid environment, marked by named sites such as Antone Spring, Good Pasture Spring, and the Rock Waterhole. Evidence of ranching and early settlement is found in the scattered windmills like Girard Windmill and River Windmill, alongside the isolated Penitenta Ch and the Martinez Cem located near the northern boundary. The map captures a transition point where the Otero and Las Animas county lines meet amidst a network of canyons like Withers Canyon and Miller Canyon, reflecting the difficult navigation of the era's geography.