Golondrinas, New Mexico facts for kids
Golondrinas is a small place in Mora County, New Mexico, in the United States. Its name means "The Swallows" in Spanish. It's not an official town with its own government, but rather an unincorporated community. You can find it along State Route 161, right next to the Mora River. It's about 18 miles (29 km) south of the town of Mora. Golondrinas sits high up, at an elevation of about 6,833 feet (2,083 meters) above sea level.
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A Glimpse into Golondrinas' History
Golondrinas has a rich history that dates back almost two centuries. It was founded in 1835, which was a time when New Mexico was still part of Mexico.
How Golondrinas Began
The community of Golondrinas started as one of several villages within a huge area of land called the Mora land grant. A land grant was like a big piece of land given by the government to a group of people. The Mora land grant was enormous, covering about 827,621 acres (3,349 km²). Families settled here to farm and build their homes.
Supplying Fort Union
From 1851 to 1891, Golondrinas played an important role in supporting Fort Union. This was a major United States Army fort nearby. The people of Golondrinas grew crops and raised animals. They then supplied the fort with fresh produce like vegetables and meat. This helped the soldiers at Fort Union stay fed and healthy. It also showed how important farming communities were to the military at that time.
Exploring Golondrinas Today
Even though Golondrinas is a small community, it has some interesting features that tell its story.
The Historic San Acacio de las Golondrinas Church
Right in the middle of the village, you'll find the beautiful adobe church called San Acacio de las Golondrinas. This church was built in 1862. Adobe is a special type of building material made from earth and straw. Many old buildings in New Mexico are made this way. The church is a central part of the community's history and culture.
Postal Services in Golondrinas
Interestingly, Golondrinas has never had its own post office. Even without a dedicated post office, the community still has a ZIP code. The ZIP code for Golondrinas is 87712. This allows mail to be delivered to the residents of this historic New Mexico community.
