1954 Map of Socorro

About this map

Socorro and the central Rio Grande valley anchor this mid-century survey of New Mexico, capturing a landscape defined by traditional pueblos, mining districts, and volcanic geology. The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad corridor follows the river south, connecting riverbank communities like Belen, Isleta, and Lemitar. To the west, the map details the high Cebolleta Mesa and extensive Lava flows, illustrating the geological challenges faced by those traveling near Acoma Pueblo. Settlement patterns reveal the contrast between the fertile river valley and the arid uplands, where the mining village of Kelly and ranching outposts like Magdalena sit at the foot of the Magdalena Mountains. Large tracts of the Cibola National Forest and the Sandia US Mil Res further define land use in this period of regional transition.