2020 Map of Smith Ranch

About this map

The high plains of Curry County are defined by the winding course of Frio Draw, which cuts through the grid of agricultural section lines in this corner of eastern New Mexico. Central to the area is the Smith Ranch, situated along the northern banks of the draw. This landscape is a classic example of the Llano Estacado's cattle and ranching culture, where the land is strictly partitioned by an extensive network of rural routes such as Curry Road 34 and Curry Road 26. The map illustrates how local topography, particularly Creek Q, dictates the placement of homesteads and water access in an otherwise uniform environment. For those researching the history of the High Plains, this survey documents the persistent ranching infrastructure and the specific road systems that have connected these remote homesteads for generations.