It’s one thing to know that New Mexico has changed over the years. However, you don’t usually have the opportunity to see concrete examples of “then” and “now.” We found both old and recent photos that show what is different and what has remained the same in the Land of Enchantment.
- THEN: The mining town of Santa Rita del Cobre, located close to Silver City, in 1919.
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
NOW: The Santa Rita Mine, an open pit copper mine, swallowed the town. Nothing remains but this gaping hole. For more info.
Flickr/jan buchholtz
- THEN: The San Felipe de Neri Church in Albuquerque as it appeared in 1943.
Photogrammar/John Collier
NOW: While the church hasn’t changed all that much, the area surrounding it has become much more developed.
Flickr/Kent Kanouse
- THEN: The H. B. Ailman House in Silver City was being used by the local fire department in 1940, when this picture was taken.
Photogrammar/Russell Lee
NOW: This Victorian building houses the Silver City Museum.
Flickr/C Hanchey
- THEN: This image shows Downtown Albuquerque in 1943. We know it depicts Central Avenue because, on the right of the image, is the old Combs Hotel - it once occupied 115-117 West Central Avenue.
Photogrammar/John Collier
NOW: Downtown Albuquerque remains busy and bustling today, even if the businesses have changed.
Flickr/Ken Lund
- THEN: The Santa Fe Plaza in 1943.
Photogrammar/John Collier
NOW: It actually looks pretty similar today.
Flickr/Richie Diesterheft
- THEN: The New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell was so much smaller in 1904.
WIkimedia Commons/Internet Archive Book Images
NOW: The institute has grown…
Flickr/C Hanchey
…And grown. It now contains a four-year high school and a two-year junior college.
Flickr/C Hanchey
- THEN: This is what Clayton looked like in 1904.
Wikimedia Commons/Internet Archive Book Images
NOW: Several of Clayton’s historic buildings remain and it’s almost recognizable.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
- THEN: This image of Taos Plaza was definitely taken after 1936, and it most likely dates from the early 1950s.
Flickr/Ty Nigh
NOW: Cars may have changed but the rooflines are unaltered.
Flickr/Gabriella Yazickr
- THEN: These are Star fighters from the 188th Fighter Squadron parked on Kirtland Airforce Base during the 1950s.
Wikimedia Commons/USAF
NOW: More than 23,000 people work on the base today. Plane technology has definitely advanced.
Flickr/Ron Cogswell
10: THEN: This shot provides an overview of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad yard - and a little of Gallup itself - as it appeared in 1943.
Photogrammar/Jack Delano
NOW: Amtrak still offers passenger service through Gallup. This stop is the second busiest in New Mexico (after Albuquerque).
Wikimedia Commons/John Phelan
- THEN: In 1943, a lot more of Elizabethtown, a mining community in Colfax County, was still standing. The town itself had pretty much died by 1917.
Photogrammar/John Collier
NOW: This ghost town lies crumbling and deserted.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Do any of these surprise you?
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
Flickr/jan buchholtz
Photogrammar/John Collier
Flickr/Kent Kanouse
Photogrammar/Russell Lee
Flickr/C Hanchey
Flickr/Ken Lund
Flickr/Richie Diesterheft
WIkimedia Commons/Internet Archive Book Images
Wikimedia Commons/Internet Archive Book Images
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Flickr/Ty Nigh
Flickr/Gabriella Yazickr
Wikimedia Commons/USAF
Flickr/Ron Cogswell
Photogrammar/Jack Delano
Wikimedia Commons/John Phelan
If you’re interested in old pictures of New Mexico, you may enjoy our past article featuring images of our state from a century ago.
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