1952 Map of Seton Village

About this map

Large Spanish land grants define the geography of this New Mexico landscape south of Santa Fe, including the Sebastian De Vargas Grant and the Bishop John Lamy Grant. The terrain is characterized by a series of northwest-trending drainages such as Arroyo Hondo and Cañada de Minas that cut through the high desert floor. Central to the area's development is the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, which snakes through the valleys alongside traces of an Old Railroad Grade. This mid-century survey illustrates a transition from traditional ranching life at Rancho La Merced and Ninemile Ranch toward smaller settlements like Seton Village. The presence of a Landing Strip and the Gallina Camp suggest the varied land use of the era, from early aviation to seasonal operations in the foothills of the Cerros Negros.