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1983 Map of Taos

Name: 1983 Topographic Map of Taos
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

The Rio Grande carves a deep path through northern New Mexico in this early 1980s landscape, serving as a primary corridor for travel and settlement. Ancient cultural sites such as Taos Pueblo and Picuris Pueblo are established alongside newer alpine communities like Valle Escondido and Shady Brook. The map details a complex web of mountain drainages, including the Rio Pueblo de Taos and Rio Santa Barbara, which supported the agricultural traditions of villages like Ranchos de Taos and Peñasco.

Large conservation and recreation areas dominate the eastern and northern reaches, including the Carson National Forest and the legendary Philmont Scout Ranch. The presence of the Rio Grande Gorge State Park highlights the significance of the river's canyon for the region's geography. Researchers can trace the development of small Hispanic plazas such as Servilleta Plaza and Rinconada as they appeared prior to modern expansion.