Seneca, New Mexico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Seneca, New Mexico
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 Seneca, New Mexico
Location in New Mexico
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Union |
| Elevation | 4,990 ft (1,520 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| Area code(s) | 575 |
| GNIS feature ID | 910940 |
Seneca is a small, unincorporated community located in Union County, New Mexico, in the United States. An unincorporated community is a place that does not have its own local government, like a city or town. Instead, it is usually managed by the county it is in.
Seneca is found along New Mexico State Road 406. It is about 12.6 miles (20.3 km) north-northeast of a larger town called Clayton.
History of Seneca
How Seneca Got Its Name
The area now known as Seneca was first called Cienaga. This name came from a Spanish word meaning "marsh" or "wetland." It likely described the land there.
After the Civil War, many English-speaking settlers moved into the area. They found the name Cienaga hard to say. Over time, they changed the name to Seneca. This is how the original name became "corrupted" or changed by new speakers.
Early Days and Post Office
Seneca was a small settlement from its beginnings. One important part of any community is its post office. A post office helps people send and receive mail. The very first person to be in charge of the post office in Seneca was a woman named Flora Blackwell. She was known as the first postmaster.
