1965 Map of Squaw Peak

About this map

Milligan Gulch and its complex network of seasonal drainages define this high-altitude landscape in central New Mexico. In the mid-1960s, this area of Socorro County supported livestock and resource extraction, anchored by named ranching sites like the Garcia Ranch and S O Ranch. Water management is the primary human fingerprint on the land, evidenced by numerous man-made features such as Stalling Tank, Chicken Tank, and the Choate Windmill. These structures, alongside natural sources like Rock Springs and Alameda Spring, provided the essential infrastructure for ranching within and adjacent to the Cibola National Forest. The map also documents industrial activity at a site simply labeled Mill in the northern reaches, while prominent peaks like Squaw Peak overlook deep-cut terrain including Estaline Canyon and Big Rosa Canyon.