1955 Map of Roswell

About this map

Roswell sits at the heart of this mid-century landscape, positioned where the high plains meet the eastern slopes of the Sacramento Mountains. The map reveals a clear geographic divide between the irrigated agricultural corridor of the Pecos River and the high-elevation ranching and timber country to the west. Along the river, settlements like Dexter, Hagerman, and Lake Arthur follow the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe RR, supported by a dense network of windmills and wells such as South Mill Well. To the west, the massive blocks of the Lincoln National Forest and the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation dominate the terrain. Significant landmarks include the volcanic Lava flows near Carrizozo and the unique hydrological features at Bottomless Lakes State Park, including Lea Lake and Devil's Inkwell. This survey also documents the mountain outposts of Ft Stanton and Ruidoso, centers for recreation and ranching at the base of Sierra Blanca Peak.