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1916 Map of Salinas Peak

Name: 1916 Topographic Map of Salinas Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1916
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1916

About this map

Jornada Del Muerto dominates this mid-1910s reconnaissance of south-central New Mexico, showing a landscape defined by its historical transit routes and arid topography. The western edge follows the corridor of the A. T. and S. F. R. R., where isolated stations and rail-stops like Engle, Cutter, and Lava served as the primary connection points for the region. These small settlements and ranching outposts, such as the Ritch Ranch, relied on vital water sources like Anaya Spring and 15 Mile Tank to survive the desert environment.

The map also delineates the extensive Armendaris Grant, illustrating the legacy of land grants in the region. Surveyed by N.H. Darton just before the end of the First World War, the documentation highlights the stark contrast between the flat desert basins and the sharp, unnamed ridges to the east. The Socorro Sierra County Line and the New Mexico Principal Meridian provide the administrative framework for this high-desert territory.