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1947 Map of Three Rivers

Name: 1947 Topographic Map of Three Rivers
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

The Southern Pacific railroad cuts a north-south line through this high desert landscape, connecting small sidings and family ranch holds before the intensification of regional military operations. This mid-century survey records the overlap of traditional ranching and the emerging defense infrastructure of the White Sands Proving Ground and Alamogordo Bombing Range. The terrain is dominated by the volcanic expanse of The Malpais to the west and the rising slopes of the Godfrey Hills in the center.

Local history is preserved in the location of remote outposts such as Oscura Range Camp and family holdings like Falls Ranch and the Mayes Ranch (Abandoned). The importance of water in this arid environment is evident from the dense network of tanks and springs, including Malagro Springs and Double Mills Reservoir. To the east, the boundary of the Mescalero Indian Res. meets the county line where Three Rivers provides a focal point for settlement near the mountains.