White Sands Proving Ground land records
Collection
Identifier: Ms-0424
Scope and Content Note
The White Sands Proving Ground Land Records consist of two series: Ledger pages and Photographs. Three ledger pages list individual property owners in the Tularosa Basin in 1945, who owned ranches on the area that would become known as the White Sands Proving Ground. Properties are listed by tract number, operator, acreage, improvement value, basic value, present market value, and lease payment.
In addition, photographs of ranching area on the White Sands Proving Ground area detail cattle grazing and other land use in 1952. They were photographed by the U.S. Army Ordnance Department, which at the time operated White Sands Proving Ground. Some of the family ranches include are images from the Bursum, McDonald, and Withers family ranches.
In addition, photographs of ranching area on the White Sands Proving Ground area detail cattle grazing and other land use in 1952. They were photographed by the U.S. Army Ordnance Department, which at the time operated White Sands Proving Ground. Some of the family ranches include are images from the Bursum, McDonald, and Withers family ranches.
Dates
- 1945 - 1952
Access and Use Restrictions
This material may be examined by researchers under supervised conditions in the Search Room.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with copyright and other applicable statutes.
Copyrights associated with this collection have not been transferred and assigned to New Mexico State University.
Copyrights associated with this collection have not been transferred and assigned to New Mexico State University.
Organizational Sketch
The White Sands Proving Ground was established by the U.S. Army on 9 July 1945. Its purpose was to allow the Army's Ordnance Department to test and fire missiles over largely undeveloped land nearly 40 miles wide and 100 miles long. This range was free of a large population base or mitigating factors such as major highways, air travel routes, rail lines, or waterways. The desert area of the Tularosa Basin also offered relatively flat land in which the military could analyze launch trajectories and recover spent missile parts.
To secure this early military use, the U.S. Army originally sought to move any livestock from the Tularosa Basin ranches. However, as the testing of rockets and missiles increased through the late 1940s, it became evident that the Army would make the White Sands Proving Ground a permanent installation. The Government eventually bought the ranches within its boundaries, which angered many area residents and cast lingering doubts as to the motives of the U.S. Army's policy regarding land use. The ledger of the Tularosa Basin properties lists many individuals prominent in the region, including the Danley, McDonald, and Cox families, many of whom have descendants that still reside in southern New Mexico.
To secure this early military use, the U.S. Army originally sought to move any livestock from the Tularosa Basin ranches. However, as the testing of rockets and missiles increased through the late 1940s, it became evident that the Army would make the White Sands Proving Ground a permanent installation. The Government eventually bought the ranches within its boundaries, which angered many area residents and cast lingering doubts as to the motives of the U.S. Army's policy regarding land use. The ledger of the Tularosa Basin properties lists many individuals prominent in the region, including the Danley, McDonald, and Cox families, many of whom have descendants that still reside in southern New Mexico.
Extent
.5 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Detail of property owners and photographs of land within the White Sands Proving Ground (now known as the White Sands Missile Range.)
- Title
- Guide to the White Sands Proving Ground land records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Bill Boehm and and Eric Rodriguez.
- Date
- 2005
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Repository Details
Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository