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Albuquerque's History
Relocation Information
Visitor's Information
 Albuquerque is a city of contrasts. Nestled between the towering Sandia
Mountains and the Rio Grande Valley, the city of Albuquerque is rich with
culture and heritage, breathtaking landscape and equipped with vibrant
energy that's indispensable to a fast-growing city. Year after year residents
flock to the city to enjoy Albuquerque's quality of life and developing business
environment. The city continues to grow its infrastructure, enhance its business
policies and expand its outlook for current and future business prospects. The
population continues to grow as well to accommodate the evolving environment.
Albuquerque has grown from 5,000 residents at the onset of the railroad era in
the 1880s to more than 550,000 in the year 2000, in the metro area alone. New
Mexico ranks as the 12th state in the nation for growth, due in large part to
the rapid population growth of the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Albuquerque is
also a center for tourism, attracting skiers, museum-goers, balloonists, and
adventure-seekers of all kinds. Albuquerque's temperate climate, large number of
sunny days, proximity to both mountains and rivers and central location along
both old Route 66 and, later, Interstate 40 have been drawing people to
Albuquerque for years. Some have stayed for a few days, some for a lifetime, but
nearly everyone who's ever been here has wonderful things to say about the city.
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Albuquerque's History
Albuquerque, founded in 1706 with 18 families, was not
incorporated until 1891. But much earlier than the 1890s, Albuquerque and its
economy were drastically evolving. From agriculture and transportation to
healthcare and technology, Albuquerque's economic base was constantly changing.
Long before the railroad, Albuquerque was the sheep-herding center of the West.
In the 1850s and 1860s, following the annexation of New Mexico to the United
States, the sheep raising industry boomed. Miners in California and Colorado
fueled a demand that lead to the raising of hundreds of thousands of sheep
across the mesas outside the city. The economic impact of sheep-herding and wool
trade would prove to be valuable well into the next century. As the city
approached the 20th century, the arrival of the railroad (1880) brought forth
new economic opportunity. Initiated by railroad planners, New Albuquerque or New
Town became home to the largest repair facility between Kansas and California.
Albuquerque was quickly beginning to resemble most western boomtowns, equipped
with everything from saloons and a horse-drawn streetcar system to a red-light
district.
With the boom, came an influx of immigrants
of all descents. Albuquerque was now home to a growing mix of Pueblo Indians,
Hispanics, Europeans, African Americans and Chinese. As with any growing city,
Albuquerque began to expand its infrastructure and services to include a school
system, electricity, water works and telephones. As with present-day
Albuquerque, the climate was a draw for those seeking refuge in a dry,
sun-filled environment. But near the turn of the century, Albuquerque's climate
was touted as "healing" and had "lung-ers" coming from far and wide flocking to
the state. Before long, 1/3 of the city's population consisted of those
suffering from tuberculosis or other respiratory diseases or those caring for
them. It was through this that more than a dozen sanitariums were born,
offering healthcare for ailing residents. Two institutions, Southwest
Presbyterian Sanitarium and St. Joseph Sanitarium endured the discovery of
treatment for tuberculosis. Today, they exist as Presbyterian Healthcare
Services and St. Joseph Healthcare, which was recently purchased by Ardent
Healthcare and will be operating under the name Sandia Healthcare.
Transportation and government followed the healthcare era.
Albuquerque was selected as a stop on the first transcontinental air route in
the 1920s and Route 66 brought the first transcontinental motorists through the
city. The 1940s were a time of rapid growth with a US Army airfield constructed
east of the city. Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia National Laboratories would
then lay the foundation for decades of nuclear research and technological
advances. Kirtland AFB currently has more than $4 billion in fiscal impact to
Albuquerque, Bernalillo Country and New Mexico annually and is the state's
largest employer with the majority being civilians associated with Sandia Labs
and the Air Force. Both research and technology would play significant roles in
Albuquerque's future into the 21st century.
Now, as Albuquerque continues to develop a globally
competitive economic region, the city is on the map and continues to be a
favorite among expanding and relocating companies and a "place to watch" as it
proceeds to climb the high-tech ladder.
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Relocation
Information
THINKING ABOUT RELOCATING TO ALBUQUERQUE?
We look forward to having you as our
neighbor!
We believe that Albuquerque is a delightful place to live, work
and raise a family. And after learning more about all our community has to offer,
we hope you’ll agree! Our relocation package contains invaluable
information for you to use when considering a move to our land of enchantment!
On behalf of the 2,700 member firms of the Greater Albuquerque
Chamber of Commerce, we would like to thank you for your interest in becoming
our neighbor. Albuquerque is a city rich in history and culture – and scenery
so unique, it is unlike any other community in the world. From the virtually year-round
sunshine to the mountain vistas, the best way to discover all the treasures our
region has to offer is to experience them firsthand. So come visit us! Look around.
Explore our neighborhoods, our stores, our cultural attractions and our schools.
Meet our people and enjoy our distinctive Southwestern hospitality. And while
you’re here, if you need further assistance in making Albuquerque your home,
please stop by the Chamber office and let us know how we can help. We are
located at 115 Gold St. S.W. in the downtown area.
Relocation Package:
The Greater
Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce has a great package for anyone interested
in relocating to our community and state. It contains:
- Absolutely Albuquerque
- The Chamber's official 48-page full color city guide
- Home Magazine -
Filled with homes available from area real estate companies
- Real Estate Guide
- Photos & descriptions of properties for sale
- Large Employers
Guide - From the New Mexico Department of Labor
- Job Hunters Guide
- From the New Mexico Department of Labor
- Apartment Guide
- A directory for the apartment shopper
- City Map - An up-to-date map of the Greater Albuquerque area
The entire Relocation
Package is shipped via US Priority Mail for only $25.00.
Please
click here to
order copies or email us at GACC@abqchamber.com
on how to order, or call (505) 764-3721 to order your Relocation Package today!
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Visitor's Information
The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, as a business
advocacy and information organization, does not provide destination information
for visitors to Albuquerque.
The Albuquerque Convention and Visitor's Bureau
has information about local events and other tourist information at their
website.
Click here to be taken to the
Albuquerque Convention and Visitor's Bureau website.
And here
are other useful area links:
City of Albuquerque Information
Bernalillo County Information
Old Town
Information
State of New Mexico Information
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