1966 Map of The Pillar

About this map

The Navajo Indian Reservation defines this arid landscape of northwestern New Mexico, characterized by a complex network of dry washes and high mesas. The terrain is marked by distinctive geological features such as The Pillar and the broad expanse of Moncisco Mesa, illustrating the stark topography of San Juan County during the mid-1960s. Resource extraction is evident through the presence of the Bisti Field and scattered Oil Wells, highlighting the intersection of indigenous land and energy development. Drainage patterns are dominated by the Pinabete Arroyo and Brimhall Wash, which provide critical reference points for understanding the hydrology of this high-desert environment. These ephemeral watercourses, alongside an isolated Spring, underscore the challenges of settlement and land use in a region where water is the primary sculptor of the earth.