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Las Vegas Land Grant (N.M.) Maps

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-59-SC

Scope and Content

The collection consists of 9 hand-drawn maps showing the survey information for plots of land in the Las Vegas Land Grant. Originals and photocopies of the maps are included in the folder. The maps are dated 1879, 1882, and 1888, and attributed to the survey work of Bringham and Clark, E.R. Stafford, and Jesús M. Tafoya. The maps show that the land was allocated to several people and list the names of Thomas Goin, James Young, William H. Withington, Patrick Young, N.E. Peterson, Joseph Rosenwald, Stephen Maxson, and others. It is unclear where these surveyed parcels of land fit into the larger Las Vegas Land Grant, although some named creeks and rivers, such as Gallinas River, Pecos Arroyo, and Cañada del Bran, are visible on the maps.

Dates

  • 1879-1888

Creator

Language of Materials

English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Background Information

Luis Maria Cabeza de Baca petitioned the Mexican governor for a grant of land bordering on the Rio Gallinas for himself and his seventeen sons in 1821. The grant was made in 1823, but it was never completely occupied due to encroachment by the Indians. The first settlement of any size was made in 1833, when a group of men from San Miguel del Bado, on the Pecos River, petitioned for a grant. The grant was given under the condition that a plaza be erected for protection against the Indians. This grant was confirmed by the U.S. Congress on June 21, 1860. Subsequently, descendants of Cabeza de Baca tried to regain control of their original land grant. In the arbitration that followed, title to the Las Vegas Land Grant was retained by the town of Las Vegas and as compensation to the Baca heirs, the United States Congress authorized distribution of five parcels of public land from various locations in the Southwest.

Extent

1 Folder

Abstract

The collection contains survey maps of the boundaries of land parcels within the Las Vegas Land Grant during the 1870s and 1880s. In most cases, the names of the title holders are given on the maps.

Relevant Secondary Material

  • History of the Las Vegas Grant: Containing a Correct and Literal Translation of the Original Spanish Papers.East Las Vegas, N.M. : J. A. Carruth, 1890.
  • Pearce, T. M. New Mexico Place Names. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1965.
Title
Finding Aid of the Las Vegas Land Grant (N.M.) Maps, 1879-1888
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Tad McIlwraith
Date
©2000
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 59 SC::Las Vegas Land Grant (N.M.) Maps)//EN" "nmu1mss59sc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451