2020 Map of Sand Hill

About this map

Thomas Cem sits on the high plains of Union County, a quiet landmark within a landscape defined by the drainage of Carrizo Creek and Garcia Cr. This 2020 survey of the northeastern corner of New Mexico reveals the transition from open range to the protected boundaries of the Kiowa National Grassland. The terrain is punctuated by distinctive landforms such as the Cedar Hills and Sand Hill, which rise above the surrounding flats. A network of rural roads, including Vogle Rd and Russell Rd, connect these remote ranchlands. The presence of Sand Draw in the north indicates the intermittent water paths that shape this arid environment, providing essential context for understanding the historic and modern land use in this sparsely populated region of the state.