NMCentennialBlueBook

Adam J. Gallegos (D)
County Clerk
GUADALUPE was named for Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico, but in 1903 the name
was changed to Leonard Wood. Wood was the actual commander of the Rough Riders. In 1905
the name was changed back to Guadalupe and has remained so. Puerta de Luna, which is six miles
south of Santa Rosa, later became the first county seat, but, then transferred to Santa Rosa. It was
also believed to be the site where Coronado built, in 1540, the first bridge in New Mexico in order to
cross the Pecos River as he searched for the Seven Cities of Cíbola. The first courthouse was built
in 1909, and a newer building was started in 1940, but, was not finished until after WWII in 1946.
Santa Rosa, which is on the Pecos River, is known as the “City of Natural Lakes” with its many
spring-fed lakes, fishing and scuba diving, which are popular recreational activities in the area. Blue
Hole is a local water recreational area including deep scuba diving activities. A state penitentiary
now exists on the outskirts of the town providing local jobs and economics assistance.
Marie J. Atencio (D)
County Clerk
GuADALuPE countY
Created February 26, 1891
Guadalupe County Courthouse
1448 Historic Route 66, Ste. 1
Santa Rosa, New Mexico 82376
(575) 472-3791 FAX: (575) 472-4791
agallegos@guadco-nm.us
Andy J. Madrid, County Manager
(County Manager through March, 2012)
(575) 472-3306
admadrid@plateautel.net
HARDInG countY
Created March 4, 1921
Harding County Courthouse
35 Pine Street
Mosquero, New Mexico 87733
(575) 673-2301 FAX: (575) 673-2922
hardingcc@plateautel.net
Vanita Menapace, Admin. Assistant
(575) 673-2927
hardingcocomm@plateautel.net
Square Miles 2,999
Square Miles 2,138
HARDING is named for our 29 th President of the United States, Warren G. Harding. The county
has the smallest population in the state within its 2,138 square miles and 1.3 million acres. Its
scenic beauty includes the spectacular Canadian River Canyon and vast ranch and farmlands. The
courthouse was originally a schoolhouse with various additions. Carbon dioxide, used in dry ice and
increasingly in tertiary recovery of petroleum, is an important product and the basis of a growing
industry in Harding County. The excellent county newspaper serving this area is created by high
school journalism students.
345