Pastura, New Mexico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pastura, New Mexico
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 Pastura, New Mexico
Location in New Mexico
Pastura, New Mexico
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Guadalupe |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.35 sq mi (0.90 km2) |
| • Land | 0.35 sq mi (0.90 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 5,289 ft (1,612 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 17 |
| • Density | 48.99/sq mi (18.91/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (DST) |
| ZIP code |
88435
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| Area code(s) | 575 |
| FIPS code | 35-55550 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2584173 |
Pastura is a very small place in Guadalupe County, New Mexico, United States. It is known as a census-designated place (CDP). This means it is a special area that the government counts for population, but it does not have its own local government. Pastura is located about halfway between the towns of Santa Rosa and Vaughn. In 2020, only 17 people lived there.
Contents
Pastura's Early Days: A Train Stop
Pastura started in 1901. It was created as a place for steam trains to get water. These trains needed to stop often to refill their water tanks. This was very important for the Southern Pacific Railroad as its trains traveled across the country.
As the town grew, the US Postal Service opened a post office in Pastura in 1903. This made it easier for people to send and receive mail. In 1907, the Southern Pacific Railroad built a long wooden pipeline. This pipeline was 142 miles (229 km) long! It brought water from the Sierra Blanca mountains to Pastura. This ensured the trains always had enough water.
Why Pastura Became Smaller
Pastura began to shrink when a new road was built. This road was Route 66, a famous highway. Route 66 passed about 20 miles (32 km) north of Pastura. This meant travelers and businesses went to towns along Route 66 instead.
Another big change happened in the 1940s. Steam locomotives were replaced by diesel locomotives. Diesel trains did not need water stops like steam trains did. Because of this, the railroad no longer needed Pastura as a watering spot. This caused the town to become even smaller. Today, Pastura is mostly a small farming community.
Famous People from Pastura
A well-known author named Rudolfo Anaya was born in Pastura in 1937. He was a Chicano writer. He is famous for his books, especially Bless Me, Ultima.
Where is Pastura Located?
Pastura is in the southwest part of Guadalupe County. It is located along U.S. Route 54. The town is about 19 miles (31 km) southwest of Santa Rosa, which is the main town of the county. It is also about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Vaughn. The area of Pastura is about 0.35 square miles (0.90 square kilometers), and it is all land.
How Many People Live Here?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 17 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, the population of Pastura was 17 people. This number comes from the 2020 United States Census.
Schools in the Area
Children living in Pastura go to school in the Vaughn Municipal Schools district. This district serves the local area.
Images for kids
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A robot for kids.
See also
In Spanish: Pastura (Nuevo México) para niños
