1951 Map of Vanar

About this map

San Simon Valley defines this arid landscape along the Arizona-New Mexico border, where the Southern Pacific railroad runs through the small settlement of Vanar. The terrain is marked by the steep rise of the Peloncillo Mountains to the east and the rugged southern peaks within the Coronado National Forest, including Blue Mtn and the distinctive The Nippers. This 1951 survey reveals a landscape of industrial transitions and remote ranching life. Active and idle mining operations dot the foothills, such as the Ajax Mine and the Granite Quarry, while the Cienega Ranch and a nearby Landing Strip indicate the ranching infrastructure established near the state line. Water management is central to the area's survival, evidenced by the network of seasonal drainages like San Simon Creek and Whitetail Creek that cut across the alluvial flats.