Puerto de Luna, New Mexico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Puerto de Luna, New Mexico
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 Puerto de Luna, New Mexico
Location in New Mexico
Puerto de Luna, New Mexico
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Guadalupe |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14.19 sq mi (36.75 km2) |
| • Land | 14.19 sq mi (36.75 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,485 ft (1,367 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 155 |
| • Density | 10.92/sq mi (4.22/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (DST) |
| ZIP code |
88435
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| Area code(s) | 575 |
| FIPS code | 35-60170 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2584188 |
Puerto de Luna is a small community in Guadalupe County, New Mexico, United States. It is located about 9.5 miles (15.3 km) south-southeast of Santa Rosa. The community sits on the bank of the Pecos River. In 2020, about 155 people lived there.
Contents
History of Puerto de Luna
Early Visitors
It is believed that the famous explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado visited this area in 1541. He might have camped here while traveling east. Coronado was searching for a legendary place called Quivira.
First Settlers and Growth
The first permanent settlement in Puerto de Luna began in 1863. Six Hispanic families built a special wall, called a dike, on the Pecos River. This helped them get water to grow crops.
A post office was opened in 1873. A notable person who settled here was Padre Polaco, also known as Alexander Grzelachowski. He moved to Puerto de Luna in 1874 and opened a store. In 1891, he gave land for the county courthouse. Because of this, Puerto de Luna became the county seat of Guadalupe County. This meant it was the main town for the county's government.
Decline and Famous Visitors
However, Puerto de Luna's importance decreased when the railroad arrived in Santa Rosa. The county seat was moved to Santa Rosa in 1903.
The famous outlaw Billy the Kid reportedly had his last Christmas Eve dinner here in 1880. He was being taken to trial by Pat Garrett.
The author Rudolfo Anaya mentions Puerto de Luna in his book Bless Me, Ultima. Another author, Calvin Rutstrum, lived here in the 1960s. He wrote about his experiences in his book Greenhorns in the Southwest.
Today, the largest building remaining is the roofless shell of the old county courthouse.
What's in a Name?
The Moon's Gateway
One story says that Coronado gave the place its name, which means "Gateway of the Moon" in English. He supposedly saw the full moon rising through a narrow gap in the hills.
The Luna Family
Another idea for the name comes from the Luna family. They lived near the mouth of Puerto Creek in the 1860s.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 155 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Education
Students in Puerto de Luna attend schools that are part of the Santa Rosa Consolidated Schools district.
See also
In Spanish: Puerto de Luna (Nuevo México) para niños
