Historical Marker
Mountainair (1)
Historical marker location:
US 60, Mountainair , New Mexico
( east end of town, pullout is on north side of highway at mile marker 204.9)
Founded in 1902, Mountainair developed as a major center for pinto bean farming in the early 20th century until the drought of the 1940s. The region had been occupied earlier by Tompiro and eastern Tiwa pueblo Indians from prehistoric times through the mid-17th century, when it served as a major center for Spanish Franciscan missionaries. Population – 1170 Elevation – 6535 ft.
New Mexico was one of the last territories to become a state, gaining statehood in 1912. Before that, it had been part of the Spanish Empire, Mexico, and the United States Territory of New Mexico.