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1965 Map of South Peak

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of South Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

The Florida Mountains dominate the eastern landscape of this Luna County region, rising sharply above the desert floor to the heights of South Peak. This mid-century survey captures a transitional ranching and extraction environment, where isolated landmarks like the Crawford Ranch and the McBee Windmill provide critical water and habitation in an arid expanse. The western portion of the map is defined by a systematic grid of section lines and numerous water resources, including Palayo Tank and various named wells like Well 4216, illustrating the infrastructure required for livestock in the high desert.

Industrial activity is evident through scattered Prospects and several Gravel Pits and Sandpits located along the low-lying terrain. These features, alongside the network of Jeep Trails cutting through Mahoney Park and White Hills, reveal a landscape utilized for both mineral exploration and traditional ranching. The topographical transition from the steep walls of Box Canyon to the flat alluvial plains highlights the geographic challenges faced by early settlers and 20th-century land managers in New Mexico.