1961 Map of Tinian

About this map

The small high-desert settlement of Tinian sits at the center of this 1961 field-checked survey, positioned along the border of McKinley and Sandoval counties. This landscape is defined by the massive Chaco Mesa, which dominates the southern half of the map with its complex system of drainages, including Sandoval Arroyo and the deep Julio Juan Canyon. Water management is the primary evidence of land use here, with numerous stock tanks like Uranium Claim Tank and Cactus Flat Tank scattered throughout the arid terrain to support local ranching. The presence of a Landing Strip and an Oil Well north of town suggests the mid-century industrial interests common to this region of New Mexico. Local community life centers on the Tinian Mission, while the Torreon Trading Post near Torreon Arroyo marks an important node for commerce and travel in this high-altitude basin.