New Mexico before Statehood

The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad builds the first tracks into New Mexico

Jan 1, 1880

[Railroads were also important in developing tourism in New Mexico, with beautiful advertisements offering the accommodations of Fred Harvey's Houses and the grandeur of the scenery accessible via the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. These advertisements had a profound influence on popular perceptions of the American West] (worldwide.https://abqlibrary.org/railroads)

Sheriff Pat Garret kills Billy the kid, essentially ending the Lincoln County War

Jan 1, 1881

Garrett mounted yet another posse to bring in the Kid. After tracing him to the Maxwell Ranch, Garrett shot him to death. No legal charges were brought against him since the killing was ruled a justifiable homicide.

New Mexicans prove their loyalty to the U.S by serving heroically in the Spanish-American War, especially as members of a cavalry unit known as the rough riders

Jan 1, 1898

The Spanish-American War of 1898 was short-lived and successful for those Americans in favor of a Cuba Libre, a free Cuba. Its famous battle cry was “Remember the Maine.” The war itself, however, had antecedents in the United States’ desire to widen its control of world markets and to dominate countries considered strategic to its defense.

Arizona voters reject a plan to enter the union as a single state with New Mexico

Jan 1, 1906

The first time there ever was anything called the Arizona Territory, it wasn't even in the United States of America. It was in the Confederate States of America, and it wasn't anything like the vertical state of today. It was an oblong hunk of land that stretched across southern New Mexico from Texas to California

New Mexico achieves state hood last

Jan 1, 1912

After the suppression of New Mexico’s natives, the population of New Mexico expanded considerably, and many came to participate in the ranching boom brought on by the opening of the Santa Fe Railroad in 1879. In 1912, New Mexico was granted statehood.