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1965 Map of Sauble Circle Dot Ranch

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of Sauble Circle Dot Ranch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

Sauble Circle Dot Ranch serves as a prominent landmark in this high-plains landscape of Colfax County, where ranching operations dictated the layout of the land during the mid-1960s. The terrain is defined by the winding course of Chico Creek and the Rio del Plano, which cut through the open country and create the natural boundaries for cattle operations like the Langely Ranch. A notable geographic feature, the Jumping Divide, provides a natural separation between the drainage basins in this part of northeastern New Mexico.

The mapping reveals a network of unimproved dirt roads and light-duty trails that connect these isolated ranch headquarters, reflecting a rural economy centered on large-scale livestock grazing. The placement of fence lines and windmills across the sheet illustrates how the arid environment was managed and partitioned by the families who settled this region. For the local historian, these labels provide a specific record of land use and property names before significant modern alterations to the ranching landscape.