Magdalena, New Mexico

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Magdalena is a village in Socorro County, New Mexico, USA. The population was 913 at the 2000 census.

The Lady on the Mountain is a rock formation on Magdalena Peak overlooking Magdalena. Spanish soldiers saw the face of a woman on the west face of the peak. A priest with them was reminded of a similar peak in Spain called "La Sierra de Maria Magdalena", so he called the New Mexico one "La Sierra de Magdalena". The natural pass to the south of the peak became known as Magdalena Gap, and when a town grew up it received the same name. [1]

Magdalena has recently been trying to transform the town into an art center and cultural destination. The opening of at least a dozen art galleries, a woolery, the renovation of the Bank West Building and the Magdalena Hall Hotel have all made their mark on this mountain village. Several rock and mineral shops have been around since the mining boom days. The ghost town of Kelly, and 2 important festivals: the Lady Magdalen Art Walk, and the Old Timers Reunion and Rodeo bring tourists to the area.

Newly-paved roads, additions to the large school, a public water system, trash disposal service and the opening of a new Mini-Mart and Gas Station have improved the quality of life for its citizens.

The Very Large Array is located close to the city.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Demographics
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Geography

Magdalena is at 34°6′45″N, 107°14′16″W (34.112596, -107.237904)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 16.1 km² (6.2 mi²), all land.

[edit] History

In 1883, about 2.5 miles south of Magdalena, the Kelly Mine opened in Kelly, New Mexico. In 1884, the village of Magdalena was named after Magdalena Peak when its post office opened. The next year the railroad completed a spur out from Socorro, New Mexico, orignally intended to ship cattle from the Plains of San Augustin, but which also proceeded to ship out ore from the Kelly Mine and others. Magdalena was incorporated in 1913.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 913 people, 372 households, and 244 families residing in the village. The population density was 56.7/km² (146.8/mi²). There were 470 housing units at an average density of 29.2/km² (75.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 62.65% White, 0.55% African American, 9.97% Native American, 21.80% from other races, and 5.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 48.30% of the population.

There were 372 households out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the village the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $22,917, and the median income for a family was $30,625. Males had a median income of $26,000 versus $21,875 for females. The per capita income for the village was $13,064. About 20.8% of families and 25.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 23.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] References

McKenna, James A.; Leslie, Shane; and Simon, Howard (1936) "Story of the Lost Canyon Diggings", in Black Range Tales: chronicling sixty years of life and adventure in the Southwest Wilson-Erickson, Inc., New York;
Barrington, Jacky (ed.) (1984) Magdalena: celebrating one hundred years of frontier living Magdalena Old Timers' Association, Magdalena, NM, ISBN 0-9617036-2-8 ;