Lamy, New Mexico
Encyclopedia
Lamy is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Santa Fe County
, New Mexico
, United States
, to the south of the city of Sante Fe
. The community was named for Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy, and lies within the Bishop John Lamy Spanish Land Grant, which dates back to the eighteenth century.
Lamy is part of the Santa Fe, New Mexico
Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 218 at the 2010 census. The former Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad (ATSF), now the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), passes through Lamy. This railroad, usually called just the "Santa Fe," was originally planned to run from Atchison, Kansas
, on the Missouri River
, to Santa Fe
, the capital city of New Mexico
, and then points west. However, as the tracks progressed west into New Mexico
, the civil engineer
s in charge realized that the hills surrounding Santa Fe
made this impractical. Hence, they built the railway line though Lamy, instead. Later on, a spur line was built from Lamy to Santa Fe, bringing the railroad to Santa Fe at last. In 1896 the Fred Harvey Company
built the luxurious El Ortiz Hotel here. Thus Lamy became an important railroad junction. In 1992 the spur line was taken over by the Santa Fe Southern Railway, which operates a popular excursion train, using vintage passenger railcars and modern freight cars, between Santa Fe and Lamy.
The significance of Lamy as a railroad junction is related in the Oscar-nominated documentary, The Day After Trinity
(1980), about the building of the first atomic bomb, and is referred to by instrumental group the California Guitar Trio
in a five-part suite Train to Lamy on their second album Invitation (1995).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 137 people, 55 households, and 33 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 126.2 people per square mile (48.5/km²). There were 64 housing units at an average density of 59.0 per square mile (22.7/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 74.45% White, 2.92% Native American, 18.25% from other races
, and 4.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 44.53% of the population.
There were 55 households out of which 40.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples
living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 28.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $43,333, and the median income for a family was $27,083. Males had a median income of $25,568 versus $0 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $16,765. There were 17.5% of families and 20.5% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.
"The store and saloon directly reflect the spread of mercantile capitalism following the arrival of the railroad in New Mexico in 1880. Historically, the store and saloon were the headquaqrters for the village's businessmen. In 1909, the Pfluegers sold their store and saloon to Thomas Hanna. From the mid-1930's, the new owner Frank Teal, remoldeled the building, which became the Pink Garder Saloon and Restaurant. In 1969 the name was changed to the Legal Tender when it became one of the network of Tinne's restaurants housed in historic buildings around the state and owned by Robert O.l Anderson. In 1996 Richard Fisher updated and reopened it. The Legal Tender Restaurant and Saloon was closed in 1998. The Lamy Railroad and History Museum was founded in 2002 and in 2006 it was moved into the Legal Tender ."
Across the road from the Legal Tender is the vintage Atlantic Coast Line "Talladega". A silver, 1950 Pullman dinning car. It is a beautiful old car outfitted with a kitchen and a 12-table dining area designed with art deco and modernistic elements. The "Lamy Station Cafe" operates within the "Talladega".
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Santa Fe County
Santa Fe County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*76.2% White*0.9% Black*3.1% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.6% Two or more races*14.9% Other races*50.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, to the south of the city of Sante Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
. The community was named for Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy, and lies within the Bishop John Lamy Spanish Land Grant, which dates back to the eighteenth century.
Lamy is part of the Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 218 at the 2010 census. The former Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad (ATSF), now the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), passes through Lamy. This railroad, usually called just the "Santa Fe," was originally planned to run from Atchison, Kansas
Atchison, Kansas
Atchison is a city situated along the Missouri River in the eastern part of Atchison County, located in northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 11,021. It is the county seat and most populous city of Atchison County...
, on the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
, to Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
, the capital city of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, and then points west. However, as the tracks progressed west into New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, the civil engineer
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
s in charge realized that the hills surrounding Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
made this impractical. Hence, they built the railway line though Lamy, instead. Later on, a spur line was built from Lamy to Santa Fe, bringing the railroad to Santa Fe at last. In 1896 the Fred Harvey Company
Fred Harvey Company
The origin of the Fred Harvey Company can be traced to the 1875 opening of two railroad eating houses located at Wallace, Kansas and Hugo, Colorado on the Kansas Pacific Railway. These cafés were opened by Fred Harvey, then a freight agent for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad...
built the luxurious El Ortiz Hotel here. Thus Lamy became an important railroad junction. In 1992 the spur line was taken over by the Santa Fe Southern Railway, which operates a popular excursion train, using vintage passenger railcars and modern freight cars, between Santa Fe and Lamy.
The significance of Lamy as a railroad junction is related in the Oscar-nominated documentary, The Day After Trinity
The Day After Trinity
The Day After Trinity is a 1980 documentary film directed and produced by Jon H. Else in association with KTEH public television in San Jose, California. The film tells the story of J...
(1980), about the building of the first atomic bomb, and is referred to by instrumental group the California Guitar Trio
California Guitar Trio
California Guitar Trio is a band of threeguitar players founded in 1991. Paul Richards of Salt Lake City, Utah, Bert Lams of Brussels,...
in a five-part suite Train to Lamy on their second album Invitation (1995).
Geography
Lamy is located at 35°29′10"N 105°52′50"W (35.486162, -105.880490).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 137 people, 55 households, and 33 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 126.2 people per square mile (48.5/km²). There were 64 housing units at an average density of 59.0 per square mile (22.7/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 74.45% White, 2.92% Native American, 18.25% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 4.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 44.53% of the population.
There were 55 households out of which 40.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 28.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $43,333, and the median income for a family was $27,083. Males had a median income of $25,568 versus $0 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $16,765. There were 17.5% of families and 20.5% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.
Railroad & History Museum
The Lamy Railroad and History Muesum is dedicated to acquisition, preservation, display and interpretation of the history of New Mexico, the village of Lamy, and the Southwest with particular emphasis on the Railroads and their impact on the area. Additionally, our mission is to preserve the Legal Tender Building, which is a National treasure, listed on the National Register of Historic Places."The store and saloon directly reflect the spread of mercantile capitalism following the arrival of the railroad in New Mexico in 1880. Historically, the store and saloon were the headquaqrters for the village's businessmen. In 1909, the Pfluegers sold their store and saloon to Thomas Hanna. From the mid-1930's, the new owner Frank Teal, remoldeled the building, which became the Pink Garder Saloon and Restaurant. In 1969 the name was changed to the Legal Tender when it became one of the network of Tinne's restaurants housed in historic buildings around the state and owned by Robert O.l Anderson. In 1996 Richard Fisher updated and reopened it. The Legal Tender Restaurant and Saloon was closed in 1998. The Lamy Railroad and History Museum was founded in 2002 and in 2006 it was moved into the Legal Tender ."
Across the road from the Legal Tender is the vintage Atlantic Coast Line "Talladega". A silver, 1950 Pullman dinning car. It is a beautiful old car outfitted with a kitchen and a 12-table dining area designed with art deco and modernistic elements. The "Lamy Station Cafe" operates within the "Talladega".