1954 Map of Sky Village

About this map

Sky Village (Ruins) sits atop the prominent San Felipe Mesa, overlooking a landscape defined by historic land grants and the winding course of the Rio Puerco. This mid-century survey illustrates the complex jurisdictional boundaries of central New Mexico, where the Laguna Indian Reservation meets the Montano Grant. The presence of several established ranching outposts, such as Collier Ranch, Sandoval Ranch, and Alamo Ranch, points to a cattle-based economy reliant on scattered water sources like Sandoval Spring and various stock tanks. Remnants of earlier habitation are visible at San Francisco (Ruins) along the river. The terrain is deeply incised by drainage systems, including Arroyo Bernardo and Arroyo Alamo, which cut through the Benavidez area, reflecting the arid environment's influence on settlement patterns and movement during this era.