About the Atlas
Credits -- 1: [Western History/Genealogy Department, Denver Public Library]; 2: [de Niza, Fray Marcos]; 3: [Western History/Genealogy Department, Denver Public Library]; 4: [Davis, W.W.H.]; 6: [Davis, W.W.H.]; 7: [Vieregg, G. Von]; 8: [Department of Special Collections, University of Chicago Library]
Quotation:
Journey all over the universe in a map, without the expense and fatigue of traveling, without suffering the inconveniences of heat, cold, hunger, and thirst.
--Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote, part 3, chapter 6 (1605-15).
We humans love maps, and trust these information-rich resources so much that the word has become synonymous with "guide" or "accurate picture." But maps are a human creation, and each cartographer makes choices about what to include on the map, based on available information and external motivations.
Click on the timeline to explore New Mexico history through the lens of historic maps, created in Europe, Mexico, and America, over four centuries. Each beautiful historic map has been richly annotated, offering insight on the period in the words and images of those who were there.
These maps simple to navigate; use the menu in the upper left or double-click on the map to zoom in and see more detail. Click the help button at the upper right for more, detailed instructions.
The New Mexico Humanities Council is proud to offer two projects in celebration of the Centennial anniversary of New Mexico's statehood.
The Atlas of Historic New Mexico Maps, by Peter Eidenbach, will be published by UNM press in 2010, and features over 100 historic maps. This online supplement explores some of the maps in greater detail, and offers K-12 educators, researchers, and other history and geography professionals a useful, free resource.
Use of Historical Material and Copyright
The historical quotations, images, and oral histories included in the online Atlas of Historic New Mexico Maps are included to help visitors understand the human context of the era in which each map was created. Some quotations may include language or attitudes that our modern sensibilities find offensive. The New Mexico Humanities Council does not condone these views, but is including them as part of a broad effort to represent the authentic views and words of the people of that time.
Much of the information and images used on this website are part of the public domain, either as part of the intellectual commons, or because of its antiquity. Some materials remain under copyright, and may not be appropriated without permission. The NMHC has made every possible effort to ascertain the status of each work and obtain permission where copyright is held. If you have any questions about our use of materials, please do not hesitate to contact us.
External Links & Third Party Services
The links and texts included in these lessons do not constitute endorsements of the products linked to. They are provided for reference. If you need support with image or document hosting services, or with Google Earth, contact the service providers for technical support, not the Humanities Council.