| Catron County, New Mexico | |
Location in the state of New Mexico |
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New Mexico's location in the U.S. |
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| Founded | 25 February 1921 |
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| Seat | Reserve |
| Largest city | Reserve |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
6,929 sq mi (17,946 km²) 6,928 sq mi (17,943 km²) 1 sq mi (3 km²), 0.02% |
| Population - (2010) - Density |
3,725 0.5/sq mi (0/km²) |
| Website | www.catroncountynm.com |
Catron County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of 2010, the population was 3,725.[1] Its county seat is Reserve.[2] Catron County is the largest county, by area, in New Mexico.[3]
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Settlement in the Catron County region dates to some of the earliest in the Americas. During the Clovis period between 10999 BC 8000 BC and Folsom period between 7999 BC and 5999 BC, the Ake Site was occupied near Datil.[4] Bat Cave, near Horse Springs, was occupied around 3,500 BC.
The Mimbres culture was part of the Mogollon people who lived throughout the Catron County area from AD 1000-1130 AD. Their art is renowned for its beauty.
In 1598, the region was declared part of Santa Fé de Nuevo México, a province in New Spain. The province remained in Spanish control until Mexico's declaration of independence in 1821. Under the 1824 Constitution of Mexico, it became the federally-administered Territory of New Mexico. European settlement of this region reportedly started with the Spanish, and intensified when New Mexico was admitted to the United States.
Mexico ceded the region to the U.S. in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 after the Mexican-American War. In 1849, President Zachary Taylor proposed that New Mexico, including this region, immediately become a state to sidestep political conflict over slavery in the territories. That did not happen.
In 1880, Sergeant James C. Cooney was the first person to find silver and gold ore in the mountains of Catron County. He was reportedly killed by Chiricahua Apaches led by Victorio that year in what became known as the "Alma Massacre". His remains are buried at Cooney's Tomb. During this time Cochise was another famous Chiricahua leader, while the infamous Goyaałé (Geronimo) had several hideouts in the county. Later that same year, 1880, Buffalo Soldiers led by Sergeant George Jordan defeated Chiricahua Apache warriors led by Victorio in the Battle of Fort Tularosa. Four years later, self-appointed sheriff Elfego Baca was the hero of the so-called Frisco Shootout in San Francisco Plaza.
In the mid-1880s Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch gang holed up at a ranch near Alma, New Mexico. Notorious outlaw Tom Ketchum also lived in Catron County around this time.
Catron County's lands were part of Socorro County from the creation of Santa Fé de Nuevo México until 1921. In 1927, the State Legislature attempted to abolish both Socorro and Catron in order to create a new Rio Grande County. A court suit voided this act and the two counties retained their independence.[5]
The Lightning Field, an art installation, brought national attention to Quemado in the late 1970s.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,929 square miles (17,946.0 km2), of which 6,928 square miles (17,943.4 km2) is land and 1 square mile (2.6 km2) (0.02%) is water.
Catron County is the largest county, by area, in New Mexico. At almost 7,000 square miles (18,000 km2), Catron County is larger than several eastern states, including Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. With a population of only 3,400 people, the county is as sparsely populated as many an old West frontier area. The elk population at some 12,000 head, makes up for the sparse people population.
Within the boundaries of Catron County lie parts of the Gila National Forest, the Apache National Forest and the Cibola National Forest. The establishment of these national forests, in the past called "forest reserves," led to the name Reserve being given to a village on the San Francisco River, which also serves as the County Seat. There are no stop lights in the whole county, so when license tests are given in Reserve, an artificial portable stop light is set up in a parking lot.
Bordering Arizona, Catron County affords the shortest route between Albuquerque and Phoenix or Tucson. Reserve can also be reached by following U.S. Route 180 north from Silver City and New Mexico State Road 12 east for a total of 99 miles (159 km).
In Catron County there is a volcanic area that until recently contained sufficient heat to cause steam to rise after a slight rain. It is called Burning Mountain and appears to have been used by the Apache for healing purposes.[6]
Mountains
Water
Forests
Other
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2000 | 3,543 |
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| 2010 | 3,725 | 5.1% | |
Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 3,543 people, 1,584 households, and 1,040 families residing in the county. The population density was 0.51 people per square mile (0.20/km²). There were 2,548 housing units at an average density of 0.37 per square mile (0.14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.75% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 2.20% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 5.42% from other races, and 3.61% from two or more races. 19.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 1,584 households out of which 22.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% were married couples living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.30% were non-families. 30.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.75.
In the county the population was spread out with 21.10% under the age of 18, 4.20% from 18 to 24, 19.50% from 25 to 44, 36.40% from 45 to 64, and 18.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 104.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $23,892, and the median income for a family was $30,742. Males had a median income of $26,064 versus $18,315 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,951. About 17.40% of families and 24.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.60% of those under age 18 and 14.90% of those age 65 or over.
| Cibola County | ||||
| Greenlee County, Arizona and Apache County, Arizona | Socorro County | |||
| Catron County, New Mexico | ||||
| Grant County | Sierra County |
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