Las Palomas, New Mexico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Las Palomas, New Mexico
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Census-designated place
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 Las Palomas, New Mexico
Location in New Mexico
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Sierra |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.60 sq mi (4.15 km2) |
| • Land | 1.60 sq mi (4.15 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,262 ft (1,299 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 196 |
| • Density | 122.27/sq mi (47.21/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Area code(s) | 575 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2584135 |
Las Palomas is a small community in Sierra County, New Mexico, United States. It's known as a census-designated place, which means it's an area identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes. In 2010, about 173 people lived there. By 2020, the population grew slightly to 196.
Las Palomas is located near Interstate 25, a major highway. New Mexico State Road 187 also goes through the community.
Contents
History of Las Palomas
Las Palomas has a long history, starting as one of the first settlements in the area.
Early Settlements in the Rio Grande Valley
In 1859, a place called San Ygnacio de la Alamosa (also known as Alamosa) was the original New Mexican settlement in what is now Sierra County.
However, in 1867, a big flood destroyed Alamosa. Many people who lived there had to move.
- Some moved up the Alamosa Creek valley. They started a new town called Canada Alamosa. This town was organized between 1864 and 1866 by some earlier residents of Alamosa.
- Others moved across the Rio Grande river to the east bank. They went a few miles downstream and started a new town. It was first called New Alamosa, but soon became known as Alamocita.
Fort McRae and Community Protection
Alamocita was about six miles north of Fort McRae. This fort was built in April 1863. Its main job was to protect the new settlements along the Rio Grande Valley. It also kept the roads safe for travelers, especially the old road to the east called the Jornada del Muerto. The fort helped protect the people from attacks by the Apache people.
Founding of Las Palomas
Also in 1867, some people from Canada Alamosa moved further down the Rio Grande. They settled where Palomas Creek meets the river. This spot was about twenty miles south of Fort McRae. It was considered safer from Apache attacks and easier for the fort to send help.
They started a farming community first called Plaza del Rio Palomas. Later, it became more commonly known as Las Palomas. Fort McRae and its soldiers protected these towns and helped their economy until the fort closed in October 1876.
Las Palomas is special because it's the only one of these early New Mexican settlements along the Rio Grande in Sierra County that is still around today. It has survived floods and the building of reservoirs.
Geography of Las Palomas
Las Palomas covers an area of about 1.6 square miles (4.15 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 196 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Las Palomas was 196 people in 2020. This information comes from the U.S. Decennial Census, which counts everyone in the country every ten years.
Education in Las Palomas
Students in Las Palomas attend schools in the Truth or Consequences Municipal Schools district. This district covers the entire county.
- Middle school students go to Truth or Consequences Middle School.
- High school students attend Hot Springs High School.
Both of these schools are located in the nearby town of Truth or Consequences.
See also
In Spanish: Las Palomas (Nuevo México) para niños
