1954 Map of Sandia Park

About this map

The Pa-ako Ruins and nearby Smelter Ruins anchor this mid-century portrait of a high-altitude New Mexico landscape, where ancient habitation meets industrial residue. Situated at the junction of the San Pedro Grant and the Cibola National Forest, the terrain is defined by the massive ridge of Monte Largo and the drainage of San Pedro Creek. Small settlements like San Antonio and La Madera are connected by winding mountain roads, while the La Madera Cemetery provides a specific point of reference for local family history. Evidence of past transportation is visible along an Old Railroad Grade that follows the creek valley, tracing a route through a landscape dotted with seasonal springs like Cottonwood Spring and Rock Spring. This survey records a moment when the rural character of the Sandia Mountains remained primary, with only scattered developments like Sandia Park beginning to take shape.