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1965 Map of Sapello

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of Sapello
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

The land division between the Mora Grant and the Las Vegas Grant shapes this mid-1960s landscape, where small agricultural settlements are tucked into the valleys of the Sangre de Cristo foothills. The village of Sapello sits at the confluence of the Sapello River and Manuelitas Creek, serving as a focal point for the surrounding rural communities of Las Tusas and San Ignacio. Local genealogy is well-documented through several family and community landmarks, including the San Ignacio Cem, Soledad Cem, and the Brother of Jesus Mission.

The topography is defined by deep canyons such as Cañon del Medio and Cañon del Cantor, which separate high ridges like Fragoso Ridge. To the north, Peñasco Blanco and Tierra Monte overlook the valley of Las Quebraditas. The network of unimproved roads and jeep trails connecting these points suggests a persistent ranching and subsistence farming economy, reinforced by the presence of a Gaging Station and a Gravel Pit near the southern boundary.