1961 Map of Tinnie

About this map

The Rio Hondo and Rio Ruidoso confluence defines the lower valley of this 1961 New Mexico survey, where irrigated life clings to the riverbank. Small communities like Tinnie, Picacho, and Sunset are connected by U.S. 70 380, marking the transition from the high canyons to the eastern ranchlands. The landscape is a network of family-held territories, from Wood Ranch in the north to McKnight Ranch in the south, illustrating the cattle-driven economy of Lincoln County during the mid-century era. Geographers and local historians can trace the intricate drainage systems of Escondido Canyon and Deadman Canyon, which feed into the central valley. Notable infrastructure includes a Gaging Sta on the Hondo and a designated Landing Area near Picacho, reflecting the logistical needs of a remote agricultural and ranching district. The presence of numerous named wells and tanks, such as Deadman Well and Coyote Tank, underscores the essential search for water in this high-desert terrain.