Ribera, New Mexico

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ribera is a small unincorporated community in San Miguel County, New Mexico, United States. Located in the northern part of the state, it is next to Villanueva State Park at the foot of Rowe Mesa and along the Pecos River, 50 mi. southeast of Santa Fe.

The town is divided by Interstate 25 and Route 3, which was along the original Route 66, and a great deal of evidence from the famous motor-tourist route still remains in the form of old rusted cars, and long abandoned structures. The area is home to many artists and ranchers. The town has one gas station and general store called Sunshine Station. The town has one restaurant that is a well known landmark throughout the surrounding area named La Risa Cafe (formerly known as the Sad Cafe); the hours of operation are sporadic.

Ribera is home to two well known contemporary artists: Nicasio Romero (who founded the local El Ancon Sculpture Park) and the one named Cooper (who relocated from the east coast and has started a free artist residency program known as DarkRanch).

Ribera is the site of the Imus Ranch, a non-profit organization that helps children of all ages afflicted with cancer. The former MSNBC program Imus in the Morning regularly broadcast from the Imus Ranch.