
Geographics
2.7 sq miles
65th largest city in New Mexico
10,348th largest city in the United States
120 miles north of Santa Fe, NM
Demographics
Population: 986
Hispanic: 54.39%
White: 29.43%
Native American: 12.48%
African American: 3.7%
Culture & Heritage
- Area was colonized by Spanish settlers in the late 1500s
- Land grants were given to prominent citizens to establish Spanish rule throughout New Mexico
- In 1848, after the Mexican American War, the land grants were administered by the U.S. Government (Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo)
- The Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo caused many landowners to lose their land and opened the Rio Chama Valley for Anglo land settlers.
- In February 1880, the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad began construction of the San Juan extension
- Railroad service to Chama began February 1881 causing Chama to become a boomtown
- Main industries included logging, silver and natural gas mining, and sheep and cattle ranching
- The Great Depression and the terrible winter of 1931-1932 nearly destroyed the sheep ranching industry
- Due to the Sherman Act in 1893 and its devastating effect on the silver mining industry, the railroad became mostly stagnant.
- In 1969, the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad was given permission to abandon the railroad to Chama.
- Most of the track was dismantled but, in 1970, preservationists in Colorado and New Mexico were able to save the track leading from Chama, NM to Antonito, CO
- In 1971, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad began its tourist trips on the longest and highest narrow-gauge railroad
- Chama is now a primarily tourist town, with a unique blending of Native American, Spanish, and Anglo cultures.
Relocation Guide
Visitor’s Guide
Distance to Chama
New Mexico
Town
Miles
58
168
99
374
150
289
165
320
126
82
113
165
235
388
216
311
106
215
140
96
272
Estimated Time
1 Hour
3 Hours
1.5 Hours
7 Hours
3 Hours
4.5 Hours
3 Hours
6 Hours
2.5 Hours
1.5 Hours
2 Hours
3 Hours
5 Hours
6 Hours
4 Hours
6 Hours
2 Hours
4 Hours
3 Hours
2 Hours
5 Hours
Colorado
Miles
82
45
152
296
110
47
156
Estimated Time
1.5 Hours
1 Hour
2.5 Hours
5 Hours
2 Hours
1 Hour
3 Hours
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