Chacon, New Mexico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chacon
|
|
|---|---|
 Chacon
Location in New Mexico
Chacon
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Mora |
| Elevation | 8,166 ft (2,489 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP codes |
87713
|
| Area code(s) | 575 |
| GNIS feature ID | 915811 |
Chacon is a small, unique place located in Mora County, New Mexico, in the United States. It's known as an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's governed by the county. Chacon is famous for its cold winters, earning it the nickname "Little Alaska."
Contents
Discover Chacon: A Unique Community
Chacon is nestled in the beautiful landscapes of northern New Mexico. It's a quiet place where people live together without a formal city government. This means that services like roads and law enforcement are usually handled by the larger county government.
What Does "Unincorporated Community" Mean?
An unincorporated community like Chacon is a group of homes and businesses that aren't part of an official city or town. They don't have a mayor or city council. Instead, they rely on the county for most public services. It's a common way for smaller, spread-out groups of homes to exist.
The Story of Chacon's Post Office
Chacon has its own post office, which is a very important part of the community. It opened a long time ago, on September 10, 1894. The community and its post office were named after the very first postmaster, a man named Diego Chacon. This shows how important individuals can be in the history of a place. The post office uses the ZIP code 87713.
Why is Chacon Called "Little Alaska"?
One of the most interesting facts about Chacon is its nickname, "Little Alaska." This name comes from the area's very cold and snowy winters. Chacon is located at a high elevation of 8,166 feet (about 2,489 meters) above sea level. This high altitude contributes to the harsh, chilly weather that reminds people of the much colder state of Alaska.
Where is Chacon Located?
Chacon is situated in Mora County, in the northeastern part of New Mexico. It's found along New Mexico State Road 121, about 11.9 miles (19.2 kilometers) north of the town of Mora. Its location in the mountains means it's surrounded by scenic views and natural beauty.
