Harding County in New Mexico may be a small county, but it has a rich history. Here are 7 interesting facts about Harding County's past.
1. It is named after a former New Mexico governor
Harding County was named after Warren G. Harding, who served as the 29th governor of New Mexico from 1923 to 1925. Harding was also the president of the United States from 1921 until his death in 1923.
2. It was a popular area for ranching
Harding County was a popular area for ranching in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The county's rolling hills provided the perfect terrain for raising cattle and sheep.
3. A major coal mining town was located in the area
In the early 1900s, a town called Dawson was established in Harding County as a major hub for coal mining. At its peak, Dawson had a population of over 9,000 people, but the town was abandoned in the 1950s after a series of mining disasters.
4. It was the site of a historic battle between cattlemen and sheepherders
In 1891, a group of sheepherders moved into Harding County and began grazing their flocks on land that cattlemen believed belonged to them. This led to a standoff between the two groups, which eventually turned into a violent conflict known as the Colfax County War.
5. It is home to the only known town in the United States with a one-letter name
Harding County is home to the town of Mosquero, which is the only known town in the United States with a one-letter name. The town was named after a nearby mountain range.
6. It was once part of a disputed territory known as the Republic of Texas
Harding County was once part of a disputed territory known as the Republic of Texas, which claimed ownership of a large portion of what is now New Mexico. The issue was eventually resolved with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.
7. It has a rich Native American history
Harding County has a rich Native American history and is home to several tribes, including the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache. Many of these tribes were displaced from their land during the westward expansion of the United States in the 1800s.
In conclusion, Harding County has a fascinating history that includes coal mining, cattle and sheepherding conflicts, and Native American tribes. It may be a small county, but it has played an important role in New Mexico's past.
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