The Impact of the Railroad

Life in Territorial New Mexico

The Impact of the Railroad

By Catherine Jang

The Impact of the Railroad

The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, better known as the Santa Fe Railroad, first railroad company to build tracks into New Mexico. It entered the territory more or less following the Mountain Branch of the old Santa Fe Trail. It eventually stretched from as far north in New Mexico as Raton to as far south as Deming, where it connected to the Southern Pacific Railroad. More than 3,000 miles of railroad track were built across New Mexico from 1880 to 1915.​

​The Santa Fe Railfoad

Multiple Choice

What was the "first railroad company to build tracks into New Mexico?"

• The Orient Express

• The Santa Fe Railroad

• The Central Pacific

• The Union Pacific

Multiple Choice

More than 3,000 miles of railroad track were built across

New Mexico from ____ to 1915.​

• 1820

• 1840

• 1860

• 1880

The Impact of the Railroad

The railroad connected many parts of New Mexico to the rest of the West and the nation. As a result, more people and new jobs came to the territory. The railroad employed many of the new arrivals, especially immigrants from Europe and Asia. Workers were needed to lay track, operate and repair trains, collect tickets, and handle baggage.​

​New Jobs

The Impact of the Railroad

​Trains brought heavy machinery into New Mexico so valuable minerals could be mined and removed by rail. New Mexico’s mining business grew like never before. Trains also brought equipment to be used on New Mexico’s farms and ranches. With these machines, farmers and ranchers could produce more crops and raise more livestock. The trains could ship these crops and livestock to all parts of the United States.

​Mining, Farming and Ranching

Multiple Choice

Trains brought heavy machinery for mining and equipment

for farming and ranching.

• True

• False

The Impact of the Railroad

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​In exchange for these valuable raw materials, New Mexicans purchased manufactured goods that the trains brought into the Southwest from the East and, sometimes, even Europe. New stores opened to sell these goods, from clothing material to household items.

Increased Trade

Poll

Do you think the citizens in the Territory of New Mexico were happy with the railroad?

• yes

• no

The Impact of the Railroad

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Gold and silver discoveries turned small towns like Silver City, White Oaks, and Lake Valley into “boomtowns” overnight. A boomtown is a town that springs up quickly around a single industry, often mining. Most of these towns, such as Lake Valley and White Oaks, became ghost towns when most of their gold or silver was mined. Other boomtowns, such as Silver City, continued to grow and prosper if residents developed other businesses as well.​

Boomtowns

The Impact of the Railroad

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Other mining activities in New Mexico included turquoise, copper, and coal. Turquoise was first mined by the Ancestral Pueblo people. The oldest turquoise mine in the country is south of Santa Fe near Los Cerillos. The beautiful blue green stone continues to be used to make jewelry today.

Turquiose

Multiple Choice

What group of people were the first to mine turquoise in New Mexico?

• Apache

• Navajo

• Ancestral Puebloan

• Archaic People

The Impact of the Railroad

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​Coal had been used as a source of fuel before the Civil War, but its importance increased dramatically with the railroad. Coal was the main source of fuel for the railroads and many other industries. The first coal mines in New Mexico were located in Colfax County. Large deposits were later found near Gallup in McKinley County and in Madrid in Southern Santa Fe County.

Coal

Multiple Select

Coal was first mined in Colfax County, NM. What other counties were mentioned for early coal mining in New Mexico Territory?

• Santa Fe County

• Grant County

• Catron County

• McKinley County

The Impact of the Railroad

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Tourists traveling through New Mexico often ate at restaurants and slept in hotels along the Santa Fe Railroad line. The most famous of these restaurants and hotels were called Harvey Houses. They were named after Fred Harvey, a businessman from England. Harvey was able to provide good food at fair prices at railroad stops throughout the Southwest. Pleased with the Harvey Houses, tourists returned to travel on the Santa Fe Railroad and suggested others do the same. The Harvey House became a key part of the Santa Fe Railroad’s success.

Harvey Houses

The Impact of the Railroad

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New Mexico has always been considered a healthy place to live because of its mild, dry climate. During the late 1800s, sick people from miles away were sent here by their doctors to be cured. With the coming of the railroad, more health seekers arrived in search of help. New Mexico welcomed these people and the business they brought to the territory.​

Health Seekers

The Impact of the Railroad

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​Tourism was one of New Mexico’s largest new businesses. The railroad brought visitors in large numbers. Tourists from around the world spent money in New Mexico on train tickets, food, lodging, and souvenirs, such as Indian pottery and rugs. Many tourists liked to learn about Southwestern culture, especially the Indian pueblos and the ancient pueblo ruins. They enjoyed the beauty of the land and the warmth of the climate.

Tourism​

EL Navajo Hotel, Gallup, NM​

Look at the following post card of the Harvey

Hotel that used to be in Gallup.

​

See if you can recognize it's location.​

Subject | Subject

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