1952 Map of White Rock

About this map

The Rio Grande carves a deep path through White Rock Canyon in this early 1950s survey of the Pajarito Plateau. The landscape is defined by its deep history, featuring ancient archaeological sites such as Tshirege Ruins, Tsankawi Ruins, and Navawi Ruins preserved within the Bandelier National Monument. This era captures White Rock in its development phase, appearing as a organized residential grid east of Pajarito Canyon and Cañada del Buey. The map reveals the area's complex land management history, showing the intersection of the San Ildefonso Indian Reservation Boundary with the Ramon Vigil Grant. Evidence of former transportation and utility networks is visible through the Old Railroad Grade and a Pumping Station (Aband) located near the riverbank, marking a transition from early industrial efforts to the mid-century expansion of nearby Los Alamos.