1953 Map of Tetilla Peak

About this map

Tetilla Peak and the volcanic terrain of the Rio Plateau dominate this landscape, where the high desert is defined by significant land grants and early transport corridors. The Santa Fe River cuts through the center, carving out the Cañada de Santa Fe as it descends toward the Cochiti Indian Reservation. This map reveals a complex web of historical property boundaries, including the Caja del Rio Grant, La Majada Grant, and Mesita de Juana Lopez Grant. The presence of the La Bajada Mine and various cinder pits reflects the area's geological and industrial utility during the mid-20th century. Settlement is concentrated at La Bajada and La Cienega, where Cienega Creek provides a vital water source in an otherwise arid environment marked by numerous wells, such as the Eight Hundred Foot Well.