Eagle Nest (New Mexico)
Colfax County
35-22020
Eagle Nest is a municipality in Colfax County in the U.S. state of New Mexico.
Geography
Eagle Nest is located directly on Eagle Nest Lake and in a very mountainous terrain between the highest mountain in New Mexico, the Wheeler Peak ( 4011 m) in the west and the Baldy Mountain ( 3792 m) in the east. 80 km northeast lies Raton, 30 kilometers east of Cimarron and about 90 kilometers southwest of Santa Fe. The U. S. Highway 64 runs through the town.
History
Various Indian tribes roamed the area originally to hunt the abundant wildlife. In the surrounding forests are for example still from bears, cougars, deer and moose. After 1800, some settlers initially operated livestock in open country ticks. In the 1860s, gold was discovered in the area, then settled many gold prospectors. Between 1916 and 1918 a privately funded dam, the Eagle Nest Dam was built, the anstaute the waters of the Cimarron River, making the Eagle Nest Lake was formed. The dam was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, the place was first called Therma, named after the daughter of the local post office superintendent. Because of the eagle, who established their nests in the region (Eagle nests ), received town and the lake in 1930, the name Eagle Nest Eagle Nest Lake and.
Eagle Nest Dam
Eagle Nest 2009
The place is now working in tourism and above all because of its scenic beauty and its wildlife and fish wealth with climbers, nature observers, hunters and anglers alike. Also various winter sports activities are possible. 2004 Eagle Nest Lake State Park was opened, which also includes a campground.
Demography
In 2012, a population of 278 individuals was determined, which represents a decrease of 9.2% over 2000. The average age of residents in 2012 was 51.1 years, higher than the average of New Mexico, which was 45.5 years.
20.7 % of today's residents are Hispanic origin. Other immigrant groups during the founding period came to 16.7 % in England, 15.4 % of Germany and 14.7% in Ireland.