NMCentennialBlueBook

348
Square Miles 2,957
LUNA County was created on March 16, 1901 in the southwest corner of the state and currently has
a population of 25,095. As early as 1881, the citizens annually attempted to have this accomplished
by the Territorial legislature primarily so that the two larger area cities of Deming and Silver City
would be separated between two counties. Don Soloman Luna, a prominent political figure, sheep
rancher and banker, was finally successful in making this happen so the locals named the county
after him. Deming, created in 1881, was retained as the county seat. The county’s history includes
the route of the old west Butterfield Stage Line; the site of the historic completion of the second
transcontinental railroad across the US with the ceremonial silver spike being driven in the ground
at Deming joining the Southern Pacific and Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroads on March 9,
1881; the scene of the last land invasion of the US and destruction done by Pancho Villa and his
troops from Mexico at Columbus on March 9, 1916 and General John J. Pershing’s troops going into
Mexico to capture Villa and his band of outlaws. The county shares a 54 mile border with Mexico
and encompasses 2,957 square miles including the northern reach of the Chihuahua Desert and
several mountain ranges. The geography makes it ideal for cattle ranching, growing numerous agricultural
products, wine making, the production of solar, wind and bio fuels alternative energies and
the enjoyment of vast sunsets. A modern Port of Entry is open 24 hours a day south of Columbus.
Square Miles 5,461
LunA countY
Created March 16, 1901
Luna County Courthouse
700 S. Silver Street
P.O. Box 1838
Deming, New Mexico 88031-1838
(575) 546-0491 FAX: (575) 544-4187
karen_smyer@lunacountynm.us
John R. Sutherland, Jr., County Manager
(575) 546-0494
john_sutherland@lunacountynm.us
McKInLEY countY
Created February 23, 1899
McKinley County Courthouse
P.O. Box 1268
Gallup, New Mexico 87301
(505) 863-6866 FAX: (505) 863-1419
jsloan@co.mckinley.nm.us
Tom "Speedy" Trujillo, County Manager
(505) 722-3868
speedy@co.mckinley.nm.us
Karen P. Smyer (D)
County Clerk
Jacqueline C. Sloan (D)
County Clerk
MCKINLEY was named for William McKinley, twenty-fifth President of the United States. Gallup,
the county seat, is known as the “Indian Capital of the United States.” The town was named after
David Leeds Gallup, the railroad paymaster. The Spanish–Pueblo style courthouse was paid for by
New Deal funding in 1939 and has a 2,000-square-foot historical mural by Lloyd Moylan in the
courtroom. Other New Deal paintings, furniture and unique light fixtures can be seen throughout
the building. The town is the site of the annual International Indian Ceremonial and the Navajo
Codetalker Museum. A petroleum refining plant, and a coal mine provide energy resources for
McKinley’s population. The Navajo Reservation and Zuni Pueblo are both a part of McKinley
County. A branch of the University of New Mexico is located in Gallup.