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1966 Map of Yeso NW

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of Yeso NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad cuts a horizontal path across this high plains landscape, anchoring the sparse settlement patterns of De Baca County in the mid-1960s. The presence of the railroad defined the local geography, with the small station or siding at Largo serving as a focal point for the surrounding territory. This is a region defined by its water infrastructure, essential for ranching in the arid New Mexico environment.

Named ranching outposts such as Smith Ranch and McCabe Ranch are scattered across the terrain, connected by unimproved roads and fence lines. A network of windmills, including Shorty Windmill, West Gillum Windmill, and the School Section Windmill, illustrates how early 20th-century settlers and ranchers tapped into subsurface resources. The map also identifies industrial traces like a Gravel Pit, providing a detailed look at the rural economy before modern consolidation.