Placer gold mining was conducted in the Ortiz Mountains, south of Santa Fe in 1828.  Lode gold was mined in that area in 1833 — 13 years prior to New Mexico being incorporated as a territory of the United States.  Development of these newly found deposits was impaired due to the isolated locations, hostile Indians and the lack of knowledge of the area.  New discoveries in the 1860′s and 1870′s rekindled the interest in mining in New Mexico.  New Mexico was the 12th largest gold producing state from 1848 through 1963 reporting an output of 2,251,014 ounces for that period.  Placer deposits were found in the Sierra Blanca Mountains in Lincoln County, the Hillsboro area and the Mogollon area in Catron County was the chief contributor to a high output of gold in the 1890′s.

This package is a comprehensive collection of maps intended to assist in locating gem sites.   Besides gold and silver, locations for agate, amethyst, apache tears, carnelian, feldspar, fossil, garnet, jasper, muscovite, obsidian, opal, onyx, petrified wood, pyrite, quartz, smoky quartz, topaz and turquoise can be located — just to name a few of the 68 gem site locations included!

The U.S. Geological Survey supplied the featured modern map. The design is planimetric for clarity.  All maps in the series are in packages measuring 6.5″ by 9.5″ and the very readable maps measure 17-1/2″ by 23″ when unfolded.