The rock formation known as Shiprock, in the New Mexico desert, is a monadnock, or formation that rises alone out of a flat or gently sloping plain. It stands very close to the Four Corners region of the United States, the only place where four states meet at the same point.

The description states:
234 — SHIPROCK, NEW MEXICO
(SHIP OF THE DESERT)
This shaft of rock rising to a height of 1864 feet above the plain, dominates the landscape for many miles. The beautiful play of the changing lights on the rock are a source of delight to all who behold it.
From certain positions the resemblance to a “Windjammer” is very marked, hence the name “Ship of the Desert.”
–The rock is made up of volcanic material which cooled in the central pipe of a volcano, and was left behind when the rest of the volcano eroded away.
This postcard likely dates from the 1940s.

This is an artist’s rendition of the Yucca plant in flower, a common plant in the desert southwest. Its full range extends from Guatemala in the south to Alberta, Canada in the north.

The description states:
The YUCCA, a plant peculiar to the deserts of the Southwest, is variously called Spanish Bayonet, Lamparas de Dios (Lamps of the Lord) and “Soapweed”. It is found in New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and California. The roots are used by the Indians as soap, while the leaves are used for basket making. It has been adopted as the State Flower of New Mexico.
–This plant has become a popular ornamental plant and is used in residential areas and as decoration around businesses in urban areas.
This card likely dates from the 1940s.

This image shows a rock formation along the historic U.S. Route 66 west of New Mexico, which with some imagination has come to be called Owl Rock.

The description states:
116–OWL ROCK ON HIGHWAY U. S. 66 ABOUT 40 MILES WEST OF ALBUQUERQUE, N. MEX.
–This formation is still visible from the roadway that now passes by it, which has been upgraded and slightly relocated over the intervening decades.
This card likely dates from the 1940s.

This card has a view of the Great Basin and Range at the point where the water flows either east to the Gulf of Mexico, or west to the Pacific Ocean, known as the Continental Divide.

The description states:
10 — CONTINENTAL DIVIDE
The Great Continental Divide extends from Alaska through the Western United States, Mexico, Central America and South America to Patagonia. From this “Divide” the water (streams) run definitely east or west.
We cross this Highway “66” just about 115 miles west of Albuquerque and 30 miles east of Gallup, N. M. This spectacular view of the Red Rocks is from the village at the Divide.
–Highway 66 is a reference to the legendary U.S. Route 66 which originally ran from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, but it has been replaced almost entirely by the later Interstate Highway System roads.
This card likely dates from the 1940s.

This image shows a deposit of volcanic lava, known locally as malpais, which was formed from the now extinct volcanoes in the San Francisco Peaks region of New Mexico.

The description states:
No. 21 — VOLCANIC LAVA
In some remote period Mt. Taylor, the San Francisco Peaks, and other mountains in the Southwest were volcanic and belched forth great masses of black lava and cinder which still remain in its hardened state as it was after calling off ages ago.
Great areas, locally called Malpais (lava) may be seen from the highway near Tularosa and Carrizozo or as we pass Grants and Ice Caves, also near Flagstaff, Arizona.
–The lava is found throughout the Arizona and New Mexico desert regions. Because it is extremely irregular and poor soil, it is considered useless badlands. There is a national monument by a similar name, the El Malpais National Monument, which features extensive examples of this formation located in New Mexico.
This postcard likely dates from the 1940s.

This is an image of a type of plant native to the Sonora and Chihuahua Deserts. The Ocotillo cactus is not a true cactus.

The description on the back states:
277–OCOTILLO CACTUS
Forqueiria Splendens, also called Candlewood, Coach-whip Vine Cactus and Jacob’s Staff, at time appears as dry sticks only. The rainy season causes it to flame with slender, brilliant red panicles of bloom. Many Southwestern hillsides are literally covered with this spiny shrub.
–The stems are hard enough to provide a kind of living fence when planted or grown in sufficient density, and are also harvested for walking sticks.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.

This is a vista of the Acoma rock cliffs and the foot trail that winds among them. The Acoma  Pueblo is a mesa community, accessible only by the foot trail.

The description states:
148 – ROCK CLIFFS AND FOOT TRAIL AT
ACOMA, “THE SKY CITY”
SOUTH OF HIGHWAY U.S. 66,
NEAR LAGUNA, N. M.
Coma Pueblo, a seventy acre Mesa, 350 feet above the Plains is the oldest continuously inhabited place in the United States. This view shows the foot trail ascending to the village, the only access to the Plateau and gives an idea of the steep formation of the Gibraltar Rock.
–This image likely dates from the 1940s.