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1979 Map of Socorro

Name: 1979 Topographic Map of Socorro
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1979
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1979

About this map

Socorro and the surrounding Rio Grande valley dominate the southwestern corner of this 1970s land management study, showcasing a corridor of established settlements and irrigation. The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad tracks parallel Interstate 25, passing through riverside communities like Lemitar, Polvadera, and San Acacia. These small villages represent a long history of agricultural settlement along the river, contrasting sharply with the expansive protected lands to the east and north.

Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge and the Cibola National Forest cover the more arid, elevated terrain of the Los Pinos Mountains. The map reveals the region's industrial and ranching history through features like the Abo Mine, Dewey Lode Mine, and numerous isolated water sources such as Blue Springs and Axtell Well. Large land grants, including the Sevilleta Grant and Casa Colorada Grant, indicate legacy property divisions that shaped the development of Socorro and Torrance counties.