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The History of the New Mexico Economy
1600s
Native Americans had lived in New Mexico since at least 1200. The largest group, the Pueblo Indians lived mainly on a subsistence farming economy in Taos and other pueblos throughout the state.
Pueblo Agriculture (City of Albuquerque)
Spanish explorers and settlers from Mexico traveled the Camino Real (Royal Road) from Mexico City through central New Mexico bringing goods and livestock that enabled the beginning of a commerce and ranching economy.
El Camino Real de Treate Auelo - History and Culture
Native Americans had lived in New Mexico since at least 1200. The largest group, the Pueblo Indians lived mainly on a subsistence farming economy in Taos and other pueblos throughout the state.
Pueblo Agriculture (City of Albuquerque)
Spanish explorers and settlers from Mexico traveled the Camino Real (Royal Road) from Mexico City through central New Mexico bringing goods and livestock that enabled the beginning of a commerce and ranching economy.
El Camino Real de Treate Auelo - History and Culture
1700s
The first villages were started as missions and to support the small farms and ranches of the early settlers from Mexico.
History/Text : Settling the Land-see Settlements (New Mexico Museum of Art)
The first towns were usually centered around a mission church. Albuquerque was founded in 1706, the same year that the San Felipe de Neri church was built.
These 10 Breathtaking Missions in New Mexico Are Loaded With History (Only in Your State)
The first villages were started as missions and to support the small farms and ranches of the early settlers from Mexico.
History/Text : Settling the Land-see Settlements (New Mexico Museum of Art)
The first towns were usually centered around a mission church. Albuquerque was founded in 1706, the same year that the San Felipe de Neri church was built.
These 10 Breathtaking Missions in New Mexico Are Loaded With History (Only in Your State)
1800s
The Santa Fe Trail from Missouri to New Mexico provided the first major commercial trading economy between New Mexico and the eastern United States.
History of the Santa Fe Trail (New Mexico Museum of Art)
The arrival of railroads into the state led to a great increase in goods and settlers and a means of shipping livestock and natural resources.
History of Railroads in New Mexico (Albuquerque Public Library)
Coal mines were opened in several areas of New Mexico to support the railroads and became a significant source of employment as well as the founding of several towns.
History of Mining-coal production (New Mexico Museum of Art)
Ranching developed into a major economic activity and source of income in the state.
History of Ranching in New Mexico (New Mexico Museum of Art)
The Santa Fe Trail from Missouri to New Mexico provided the first major commercial trading economy between New Mexico and the eastern United States.
History of the Santa Fe Trail (New Mexico Museum of Art)
The arrival of railroads into the state led to a great increase in goods and settlers and a means of shipping livestock and natural resources.
History of Railroads in New Mexico (Albuquerque Public Library)
Coal mines were opened in several areas of New Mexico to support the railroads and became a significant source of employment as well as the founding of several towns.
History of Mining-coal production (New Mexico Museum of Art)
Ranching developed into a major economic activity and source of income in the state.
History of Ranching in New Mexico (New Mexico Museum of Art)
1900s
The discovery and development of Carlsbad Caverns and the designation of White Sands along with other attractions such as Chaco Canyon and Bandelier national parks contributed to the beginning of tourism as an important state economic sector.
New Mexico National Parks and Monuments (National Park Service)
Substantial financial enrichment and employment arose from the discovery and development of oil and gas reserves that continues to the present, as well as uranium mining for a shorter period.
New Mexico Art Tells New Mexico History: Mining-oil and gas production, uranium mining (New Mexico Museum of Art)
The important farming economy in New Mexico grew from damming rivers for irrigation,
the largest being Elephant Butte on the Rio Grande.
Elephant Butte Dam and Spillway (National Park Service - New Mexico)
The rapid expansion of state universities as exemplified by the massive UNM Zimmerman Library provided thousands of jobs and created well educated labor force for economic development progress.
Histories of New Mexico Universities
Tourism became one of the top economic contributors to the New Mexico economy through highlighting of unique culture and events.
National Park Tourism in New Mexico Creates $195 Million In Economic Benefit (Los Alamos Daily Post)
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) employed thousands of unemployed New Mexicans during the 1930s national Depression to build public buildings and schools, most of which are still being used.
New Mexico Sites (Living New Deal)
Military Air Force bases established in NM after World War II are an important economic contributor to the state and nearby communities.
Economic Impact on the State of Military Installations in New Mexico (UNM Bureau of Business and Economic Research)
Highways and airports are important to New Mexico economic development because of the long distance between cities. The New Mexico portion of the national Interstate Highway System led to major increase in travelers and tourists into the state.
When Interstates Paved the Way (Richmond Fed)
The discovery and development of Carlsbad Caverns and the designation of White Sands along with other attractions such as Chaco Canyon and Bandelier national parks contributed to the beginning of tourism as an important state economic sector.
New Mexico National Parks and Monuments (National Park Service)
Substantial financial enrichment and employment arose from the discovery and development of oil and gas reserves that continues to the present, as well as uranium mining for a shorter period.
New Mexico Art Tells New Mexico History: Mining-oil and gas production, uranium mining (New Mexico Museum of Art)
The important farming economy in New Mexico grew from damming rivers for irrigation,
the largest being Elephant Butte on the Rio Grande.
Elephant Butte Dam and Spillway (National Park Service - New Mexico)
The rapid expansion of state universities as exemplified by the massive UNM Zimmerman Library provided thousands of jobs and created well educated labor force for economic development progress.
Histories of New Mexico Universities
Tourism became one of the top economic contributors to the New Mexico economy through highlighting of unique culture and events.
National Park Tourism in New Mexico Creates $195 Million In Economic Benefit (Los Alamos Daily Post)
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) employed thousands of unemployed New Mexicans during the 1930s national Depression to build public buildings and schools, most of which are still being used.
New Mexico Sites (Living New Deal)
Military Air Force bases established in NM after World War II are an important economic contributor to the state and nearby communities.
Economic Impact on the State of Military Installations in New Mexico (UNM Bureau of Business and Economic Research)
Highways and airports are important to New Mexico economic development because of the long distance between cities. The New Mexico portion of the national Interstate Highway System led to major increase in travelers and tourists into the state.
When Interstates Paved the Way (Richmond Fed)
To 2020 and Beyond
Federal government agencies established in the 1900s grew to become a substantial employment and economic sector.
New Mexico Dependence on Federal Funding Among Top in Nation (Las Cruces News Sun)
Tourism became one of the top economic contributors to the New Mexico economy through its unique culture and events.
New Mexico Sets Economic Impact Record for Tourism 2022
Federal government agencies established in the 1900s grew to become a substantial employment and economic sector.
New Mexico Dependence on Federal Funding Among Top in Nation (Las Cruces News Sun)
Tourism became one of the top economic contributors to the New Mexico economy through its unique culture and events.
New Mexico Sets Economic Impact Record for Tourism 2022