Brief County Histories
Bernalillo County
Bernalillo County was established 8 January 1852. It was one of the seven
Partidos, established during Mexican rule. It may have been named for the
Gonzales-Bernal family that lived in the area before 1692. The county seat is
Albuquerque. Bernalillo County has a high volume of commerce, farming, business,
and real estate sales. Albuquerque has been thriving since 1706 and is the
center of activity for fairs and conventions.
Catron County
Catron County was created 25 February 1921. It was named for New Mexico's first
United States Senator, and famous Santa Fe attorney Thomas B. Catron. It is the
largest county in New Mexico, but is sparsely populated. It has great hunting
areas for sportsmen and tourism is an important commercial activity. It has
productive ranch land and borders several national forests. The county
seat is Reserve.
Chaves
Chaves County was created 25 February 1889. It was named for Colonel Jose
Francisco Chaves, a military leader in New Mexico during the Civil War and later
in Navajo campaigns. The county seat is Roswell, home of NM Military Institute.
Chaves County is rich in fresh water, oil, farming, commerce, clean air, and
tourism. After growing up in this area, it is easy to image flying saucers after
seeing hundreds of shooting stars in the clear night sky.
Cibola County
Cibola County is our neighbor to the north. It was created 19 June 1981. It is
the last county to form in New Mexico. It was named after the Seven Cities of
Cibola. Grants is the county seat. Cibola County is rich in mining , including
uranium. Tourism, milling, camping and outdoor sports are major assets.
Beautiful Wide-open spaces are abundant in Cibola County. Please send us any
cemetery or genealogical data regarding either county.
Colfax County
Colfax County was created 25 January 1869. The county seat is Raton. Colfax was
the name of Vice-president of the USA, Schuyler Colfax, in 1869. Ranching,
farming, mining, and tourism are the mainstay of Colfax County.
Curry County
Curry County was created 25 February 1909. It was formerly part of Roosevelt and
Quay Counties. It is a smaller county and prospered due to early railroad
building. Farming , ranching, and military bases have given it a healthy economy
over the years.
De Baca
De Baca County was created 28 February 1917. The County seat is Fort Sumner. De
Baca County was named for Ezequiel C. de Baca, New Mexico's second Governor
under statehood. The dedication of the present day courthouse was on 24 November
1930. De Baca County is heavily engaged in sheep and cattle ranching. Farming is
also abundant due to the valuable waters coming from the Pecos River. The outlaw
named William Bonney, alias Billy the Kid, was shot by Sheriff Pat Garrett 14
July 1881.
Dona Ana County
Doņa Ana County was created 9 January 1852. It was named for a lady named, Doņa
Ana Robledo who in the 17th century gave money to many charities. Las Cruces is
the county seat and it is the home of NMSU. This area is laced with history from
the Mesilla area obtained from the Gadsden Purchase in 1854, to Hatch--chili
capital of the world, Sunland Park, the White Sands National Monument,
Space-shuttle, spy planes, and NASA. It is also rich in agriculture and boasts
international commerce.
Eddy County
Eddy County was created 25 February 1889. Charles W. Eddy was a rancher and
promoted southeastern New Mexico. Eddy County has large deposits of raw
materials like potash, and it is a producer of oil and oil products. The area is
excellent for farming with plenty of irrigation water and abundant sunshine. Carlsbad
is the county seat. Carlsbad Caverns is a major attraction.
Grant County
Grant County was created 30 January 1868. It was named for General Ulysses
S. Grant who became president. Silver City is the county seat. This county is
rich with copper, gold and other metals. It contains part of the Gila National
Forest. Farming and ranching are major businesses.
Guadalupe County
Guadalupe County was created 26 February 1891. It was named for the Virgin
of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico. Its county seat is Santa Rosa, which is on
the Pecos River and known as the City of Natural lakes with many spring fed
lakes. In 1540, Coronado searched for the Seven Cities of Cibola. He camped near
Puerto de Luna, which is six miles south of Santa Rosa. He built the first
bridge in New Mexico. It went over the Pecos River.
Lincoln County
Lincoln County was created 16 January 1869. It was named after Abraham Lincoln.
Lincoln County is varied in forests, plains, streams and state parks. It once
covered one fourth of New Mexico and was the largest county in the United States
of America. It is the home of the Lincoln County Wars of the 1870's.
Carrizozo is the county seat. Smokey the Bear was a native born Lincoln
County icon. This county is multi-cultural and has a friendly easy going
citizenry.
Harding County
Harding County was created 4 March 1921. Mosquero is the county seat. The county
got its name from President Warren G. Harding. The county is famous for its
large ranches and the rugged Canadian River Canyon. Increasingly of importance
is chemical production for the oil industry.
Hidalgo County was created 25 February 1919. Lordsburg is the county seat. Hidalgo was named for Guadalupe Hidalgo of Mexico. Hidalgo is an open landscape with breath-taking beauty. The railroad once provided income but now farming and ranching are the main businesses.
Lea County was created 7 March 1917. It was created from Chaves and Eddy Counties and named for Captain Joseph Calloway Lea. Lovington is the county seat and the center of a valuable oil industry which has provided many jobs since 1921. Ranching, agriculture, and dairy production are major enterprises which are thriving. The area supports two colleges to serve its ever friendly and diverse citizens.
Los Alamos County was created 16 March 1949. The county seat is Los Alamos. This is the smallest county in New Mexico. Small packages pack a big punch! The famous Manhattan Project was completed here. This county remains important in the nuclear and scientific area. Friendly people, clear skies and fresh air make this a popular county.
Luna County
Luna County was named after Soloman Luna, who was a politician and cattle
rancher. It was created in 1901 from Grant and Dona Ana County. The county seat
is Deming which was founded in 1881 and officially incorporated in 1902. It was
named after Mary Anne Deming, the wife of Charles Crocker, a railroad
businessman.
McKinley County
McKinley County was created 23 February 1899. It was named for William McKinley
who was the 25th president of the United States. The county seat is Gallup.
Gallup is the center of American Indian Inter-tribal Ceremonial. McKinley boasts
a lumber industry, oil refinery, coal mining, and uranium production. It has
within its boundaries the Navajo reservation and other Indian lands and ancient
attractions.
Mora County
Mora County was created 1 February 1860. Mora is the county seat. Mora
refers to several Spanish names in the area. It is prime sportsman's territory
offering clean air and clear skies with beautiful views.
Quay County
Quay County was created 28 January 1903. Tucumcari is the county seat. Quay was
named for Matthew S. Quay, United States Senator to Pennsylvania. Senator Quay
was a leader is bringing statehood to New Mexico Territory. Fishing is the main
sports activity in the county. Tourism plays an important role.
Rio Arriba County
Rio Arriba County was created 9 January 1852. It was named for the Spanish name
for "upper river" of the Rio Grande River. This is area is part of the
partidos of early Spanish rule. The county seat is Tierra Amarilla, and it's the
center of outdoor recreation and tourism. The county contains the Jicarilla
Apache and the Rio Arriba reservations and the San Juan and Santa Clara Pueblos.
Three fresh rivers provide abundant water for agriculture and ranching.
Otero County
Otero County was created 30 January 1899. It was named for Miguel A. Otero who
was the Territorial Representative to Congress 1856 to 1861. Alamogordo is the
county seat. Alamo' is the center of missile testing , spy planes development,
White Sands National Monument, and tourism. The Cloudcroft Apache Reservation is
nearby. Otero County offers residents clear skies, clean air, varied
surroundings from low plains to peaceful mountains.
Roosevelt County
Roosevelt County was created 28 February 1903. It was named for Theodore
Roosevelt who was our 26th President. Roosevelt was part of the New Mexico Rough
Riders when he attacked San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War. Portales
is the county seat. This county has major dairy operations, agriculture, and
ranching. It has an ancient history with findings of evidence of civilizations
15,000 years old.
San Juan
San Juan County was created 24 January 1887. It was named for the San Juan River
which begins in the San Juan Mountains. This is the ancient home of the Anasazi.
Aztec is the county seat. This county is awash with ancient history, from Aztec
Ruins National Monument to Chaco Canyon National Historical Park and the Navajo
Nation. This area is rich in agriculture, clean air, open skies, and natural
resources.
Sandoval County
Sandoval County was established 10 March 1903. The county seat is Bernalillo.
The county was named for the Sandoval family who were early settlers. This
county has many attractions like the Bandelier National Monument, Coronado State
Monument, many ancient Indian ruins, and excellent hunting and fishing. Tourism
is a major source of commerce.
San Miguel
San Miguel County was established 9 January 1852. The county seat is Las
Vegas. The county got its name from the town of San Miguel de Bado which was a
crossing at the Pecos River on the Old Spanish Trail. San Miguel is one of the
most beautiful counties in New Mexico ranging from mountains to meadows. It has
two colleges. Tourism and retirement are of major economic value.
Sierra County
Sierra County was formed in 3 April 1884 out of portions of Socorro, Grant and
Dona Ana Counties. Due to the location and population, Hillsboro became the
first county seat. The Hillsboro Post Office was the hub for mail transportation
to the surrounding offices in the southern part of the county. This county has
many hills and mountains, especially attractive is the Sierra de los Caballos
range. Hot Springs, an attractive designation, was the original county seat. It
was changed in name to Truth or Consequences in 1950 after the famous TV show.
It is commonly known today as T or C. Elephant Butte Lake draws fishermen and
tourists from many areas.
Socorro County
Socorro County was established 1 July 1850. The county seat is Socorro. It was
named by Don Juan de Onate. The name means "helpful". This county is
prime ranching territory. It also has some of the biggest buck deer in New
Mexico. It was also the county in which the first atomic bomb was exploded.
Taos County
Taos County was created 9 January 1852. Taos is the county seat of Taos
County. Taos is an ancient Indian Village built several hundred years ago. This
beautiful county is the center for artists and professional people. Tourism is a
major commercial activity. Kit Carson loved the area. He lived there several
years.
Torrance County
Torrance County was created 16 March 1903. It is near the heart of New Mexico.
It was named for Francis J. Torrance who was an early builder of commerce in New
Mexico. Estancia is the county seat. It is rich in farming, ranching, and
orchards. Two railroads cross its lands. Torrance County's Manzano area, saw the
first apple orchard planted in the southwest.
Union County
Union County was created 13 February 1893. The county seat is Clayton.
Union County was formed from parts of Colfax, Mora, and San Miguel Counties.
Researchers might check these related counties for resources. Union was named
for the "union" of the counties mentioned. The old Santa Fe Trail
traverses Union County. The famous Goodnight-Loving Cattle Drive Trail also
crosses Union County. The area is as beautiful as the other Northeast New Mexico
Counties.
Valencia County
Valencia County was created 9 January 1852. The county seat is Los Lunas.
It was named for an early town built by Francisco de Valencia. Valencia County
is a booming area of New Mexico. Its central location to the major populated
counties has resulted in migration to its attractive living areas. Real estate
sales are a major part of the economy. The county has a rich mix of professional
people, artists, writers, and friendly citizens.
copyright 2004
