Bernalillo County, Its History and Population 



With a Brief Sketch of the City of Albuquerque 



ERNALILLO COUNTY in area is the smallest, and in 

 assessed valuation the richest county in New Mexico. 

 Its high property valuation results from the rapidly ad- 

 vancing values of Albuquerque real estate and the rich 

 farming lands surrounding. The county was one of the 

 original divisions when New Mexico was created into 

 a territory, extending from Texas to the western boun- 

 dary. It has frequently yielded portions of its territory 

 for the creation of new counties and the newer counties 

 of McKinley, Torrance and Sandoval were created 

 largely from its area. The location of the county may 

 be readily traced upon the accompanying outline map 

 of the region. Population has increased rapidly within 

 the past five years and is now estimated at between 30,000 and 35,000, of 

 which 25,000 live within a radius of five miles of the center of the city 

 of Albuquerque. 



The county seat is the historic village of Old Albuquerque, named 

 for the Duke of Albuquerque, and one of the first settlements established 

 by the Spaniards in the Rio Grande valley, the Church of San Felipe 

 de Neri, part of the original construction of which is preserved, dating 

 from 1778. While not included in the city limits, the old village is now 

 to all intents a part of the vigorous young city which has grown up to 

 overshadow it, the county court house in the old town being but ten 

 minutes by street car from the business center of Albuquerque. 



ALBUQUERQUE Albuquerque is the central trade mart not only of 

 the Central Rio Grande valley, but of all New 

 Mexico. Occupyifig, as it does, a commanding position in almost the 

 geographical center of the territory, with direct rail connection with all 

 sections, it is recognized as the chief distributing market between Denver 

 and Los Angeles. Its rapidly growing wholesale interests cover all 

 staple and many special lines and reach out over a trade territory from 

 Colorado to Mexico and from East 

 Texas to the California border. Its 

 manufacturing interests, already large, 

 are steadily increasing. Its population 

 is aggressive, enterprising and public 



A Group of Typical District Schools, Bernalillo County 



