1961 Map of Rincon Marquez

About this map

Continental Divide traverses the high desert landscape of McKinley County, marking a fundamental geographic boundary amidst the towering escarpments of Chaco Mesa. This survey, updated with revisions from the 1980s, reveals a terrain defined by deep drainages such as Rincon Marquez Arroyo and Arroyo Vicente. The presence of the Star Lake Ranch and its adjacent Landing Strip indicates the localized infrastructure necessary for managing this expansive rangeland. Evidence of industrial exploration is present with a lone Oil Well and a Pipeline cutting across the northern sections, showing how energy interests began to intersect with traditional ranching. Water management in this arid environment is highlighted by features like Daniel Wash and the interestingly named Roberto Sandoval Cañada, which illustrate the complex drainage patterns feeding off the mesa heights.