1964 Map of Salt Lake

About this map

Armstrong Ranch and other isolated homesteads anchor this high-plains landscape in Guadalupe County, captured just after the mid-century. The terrain is defined by its scarce water sources, most notably the namesake Salt Lake and the vital Valencia Spring. These features, along with Pajarito Creek in the north and the winding Arroyo Cuervo in the south, dictated the placement of ranching operations like the Bedford Ranch and Scott Ranch. The map illustrates a network of unimproved roads and light-duty trails that connect these remote outposts, reflecting the enduring cattle-ranching economy of eastern New Mexico. Large stretches of open range between the drainage basins emphasize the scale of these private landholdings, where survival depended on the specific location of seasonal springs and perennial creek beds.