Tucumcari, New Mexico

Quay County

35-79910

Tucumcari is a city of 5,989 inhabitants ( as of 2000) in the northeast of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is located in Quay County and is the county seat ( county seat ). The city was located on the historic Route 66

History

In the 13th century, the Anasazi pumpkins, beans and grains have grown along the rivers in the region. From finds of pottery and other artifacts, it is concluded that this is a functioning trade center existed. In 1700 lived under other Apaches and Comanches in the region, with the Tucumcari Mountain was used as a lookout to locate the prey.

The actual settlement was founded in 1901 as a tent city under the name " Six Shooter Siding " along the Chicago, rock Iceland and Union Pacific Railroad. In 1902, already made ​​four passenger trains, two Post- and two freight trains a day stop in the place. With the beginning of the expansion of the town by the railway company in 1908, the city was given its present name. From 1910 Tucumcari was a center of rail transport with a roundhouse, a depot and a water tower. After 1926, the Route 66 reached the place, the importance of the railroad in favor of car traffic.

Economy

The main economic activities in Tucumcari, agriculture and food production. Through an extensive irrigation system, approximately 55,000 acres are irrigated (about 220 km2) land. At the same time, tourism is promoted as a source of income. The city operates two wind farms for generating renewable energy.

Sons and daughters of the town

• Bob Scobey (1916-1963), musician