1966 Map of Tancosa Windmill

About this map

Sisnathyel Mesa and the wide drainages of the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation define this mid-1960s landscape along the border of Rio Arriba and Sandoval counties. The map records a sparsely settled ranching and energy environment where water and resource extraction were the primary drivers of human activity. Named water sources and livestock infrastructure, such as the Gutierrez Windmill, Gonzales Windmill, and the eponymous Tancosa Windmill, are critical landmarks across the arid terrain. The drainage systems of Cañon Largo and Peña Wash dominate the topography, illustrating the natural watercourses that shaped local movement. Evidence of mid-century industrial interest is visible through numerous Gas Wells, Drill Holes, and scattered Borrow Pits, reflecting the search for petroleum and materials to maintain the network of simple Jeep Trails connecting these remote locations.