1963 Map of Sunshine

About this map

Sunshine Valley dominates this high-altitude landscape of northern New Mexico, where the massive rift of the Rio Grande Canon Del cuts a deep gorge through the basalt plateau. The small community of Sunshine and the nearby Sunshine Valley Cem sit at the valley edge, illustrating the sparse settlement patterns of Taos County in the early 1960s. To the south, the terrain rises sharply toward the forested slopes of Guadalupe Mountain and the distinctive peak of Cerro Chiflo. Water management is central to the area's geography, evidenced by a series of irrigation channels such as Ditch No 1 and Ditch No 2 that divert flow from the peaks. Near the canyon floor, a solitary Footbridge and the Sheep Crossing Campground indicate historic access points for livestock and travelers crossing the Rio Grande.