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. Source.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Mescalero Apache Reservation is nearby. Otero County
offers residents clear skies, clean air, varied surroundings from
low plains to peaceful mountains.
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.
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.