Hondo has shown steady growth through the years. It is located at the junction of two main highways--U.S. 70 and U.S. 380, and at the Junction of two rivers as well, the Rio Ruidoso and the Rio Bonito. No doubt the geographical location has contributed to its growth but there have been other pertinent factors which have also helped in the growth of the post office. Each time the Highway Department constructed a new segment of road postal revenues rose. A large apple packing shed contributed to the consistently rising receipts of the office. From July 1967 to July 1970 the post office was elevated from fourth class to third class, then the revenue base unit went went higher July 1, 1970 the office was relegated back to fourth class. During the next five years growth was steady. The Hondo Valley Public Schools are heavy mail users. A larger refrigeration service purchases apples each fall from a local grower and the fruit is mailed through the Hondo office to a long list of company employees. The J. and R. Oil Company claims Hondo as home base for its gas and oil business. In 1972 the J. H. Rose trucking Co. purchased farm land and orchards at Hondo and built a thriving horse ranch. This business contributed more to the post office revenue and on July 1, 1975 the office was again elevated to third class. Now with streams of traffic in front on the busy highway and the whisper of water in the rivers in the back, Hondo continues a history of service to the community and passers by.