Mora County, New Mexico

64 topographic sheets and 5 fire insurance atlases across 2 places.

Research this county

From the record

14 National Register listings published here, 2 of them National Historic Landmarks.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

New Mexico within the United States

Mora County within New Mexico

What the record shows

2 places in this county were surveyed for fire insurance: Wagon Mound, Mora, between 1921 and 1930.
5 fire insurance atlases survive for the county. Topographic coverage is national; fire insurance survey reached only incorporated places with something worth insuring.
608 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
14 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 5 buildings, 5 districts and 4 sites.
5 of the 14 listings were added during the 1970s.
The Geographic Names Information System records 47 populated places in this county; 47 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Photographs

55 photographs, 1939 to 1943

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

Large Spanish-American farm specializing in fruits. Mora River Valley near Mora, New Mexico
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress

Chacon, Mora County, New Mexico. The general store
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

Mora (vicinity), New Mexico. A flour mill driven by water and steam
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

Orchard in Mora River Valley near Mora, New Mexico
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress

Chacon, Mora County, New Mexico. Saddle horses
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

Old church at Holman, New Mexico
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress

Chacon, Mora County, New Mexico. A Spanish-American rancher
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

Mora (vicinity), New Mexico. The operator of a flour mill driven by water and steam
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

A Spanish-American rancher. Chacon, Mora County, New Mexico
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

Chacon, Mora County, New Mexico. Idlers on the general store steps
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

Orchard. Mora River Valley near Mora, New Mexico
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress

Chacon, Mora County, New Mexico. School children
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

Chacon, Mora County, New Mexico. Spanish-American ranchers
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

Chacon, Mora County, New Mexico. A store
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

Chacon, Mora County, New Mexico. Idlers at the general store
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

Mora (vicinity), New Mexico. An Anglo rancher
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

Chacon, Mora County, New Mexico. A forty-year-old style poster which has never been removed from the wall of the general store
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

Chacon, Mora County, New Mexico. United States forest ranger in the general store issuing grazing permits to Spanish-American ranchers
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

Chacon, Mora County, New Mexico. Idlers at the general store holding a small boy for the photographer
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

Chacon, Mora County, New Mexico. A storekeeper
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

Chacon, Mora County, New Mexico. Idlers in the general store
Collier, John, Jr, 1943. Library of Congress

Fort Union, Visitors' Center, State Highway No. 161, Watrous, Mora County, NM
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress

Fort Union, Officers' Quarters, State Highway No. 161, Watrous, Mora County, NM
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress

Fort Union, Hospital, State Highway No. 161, Watrous, Mora County, NM
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress

Fort Union, Sutler's Store, State Highway No. 161, Watrous, Mora County, NM
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress

Fort Union, Quartermaster Storehouse, State Highway No. 161, Watrous, Mora County, NM
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress

Watrous House, Watrous, Mora County, NM
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress

Fort Union, Quartermaster's Office, State Highway No. 161, Watrous, Mora County, NM
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress

Fort Union, Clerk's Quarters, State Highway No. 161, Watrous, Mora County, NM
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress

Places on the National Register

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Property	Type	Listed	Reference
Cassidy Mill	building	1978	78001818
Cassidy, Daniel, and Sons General Merchandise Store	building	1979	79001541
Fort Union National Monument	site	1966	66000044
Guadalupita-Coyote Rural Historic District	district	2017	100001034
La Cueva Historic District	district	1973	73001144
Ocate Creek Crossing and the Santa Fe Trail-Mora County Trail Segments	site	1994	94000329
Santa Clara Hotel	building	1991	91000602
St. Vrain's Mill	site	1973	73001143
J. P. Strong Store	building	1979	79001542
Tipton-Black Willow Ranch Historic District	district	2001	00001287
Narciso Valdez House	building	1980	80004484
Valmora Sanatorium Historic District	district	1995	95000286
Wagon Mound	site	1966	66000478
Watrous	district	1966	66000480

Bird's-eye views and land ownership maps

Drawn when these were printed as single large sheets: the town seen from the air, and the county divided into its farms with every owner named. Each opens the original at the Library of Congress.

Land ownership map, 1889 - Sectional map of Colfax and Mora Counties, New Mexico — Land ownership map (1889) - Sectional map of Colfax and Mora Counties, New Mexico. Library of Congress.

The county from the air

48 shown

Flown by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1937 and 1989, the Aerial Photo Single Frames collection is the definitive mid-century view of the land: fields, roads and rivers as the camera saw them. The Survey holds 1,679 frames inside the rectangle that bounds this county; the 48 frames below were taken over the county itself, chosen across the decades of flights (at most four a year from that rectangle), so one flight cannot crowd out the rest. The full set is free to browse and download at EarthExplorer under the dataset Aerial Photo Single Frames.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1948-10-25, scale 1:43200 — 1948-10-25, scale 1:43200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-10-04, scale 1:53000 — 1953-10-04, scale 1:53000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1954-06-05, scale 1:53000 — 1954-06-05, scale 1:53000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1958-10-03, scale 1:40000 — 1958-10-03, scale 1:40000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-09-21, scale 1:35800 — 1961-09-21, scale 1:35800. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1964-10-31, scale 1:32000 — 1964-10-31, scale 1:32000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1965-05-05, scale 1:19000 — 1965-05-05, scale 1:19000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-05-08, scale 1:18400 — 1970-05-08, scale 1:18400. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-05-11, scale 1:30400 — 1970-05-11, scale 1:30400. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-06-25, scale 1:123000 — 1975-06-25, scale 1:123000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-06-26, scale 1:80000 — 1975-06-26, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1976-08-22, scale 1:80000 — 1976-08-22, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1976-08-29, scale 1:80000 — 1976-08-29, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1977-06-16, scale 1:80000 — 1977-06-16, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1979-02-09, scale 1:29873 — 1979-02-09, scale 1:29873. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1981-09-27, scale 1:29600 — 1981-09-27, scale 1:29600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1990-08-29, scale 1:24000 — 1990-08-29, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

Weather records

20 stations, 18 gages

The thermometers that kept this county's weather, and the gages that measured the flow of its streams, as the federal records hold them. The extremes below are measured values from those records, not estimates.

OCATE 1893 to 1911, hottest 35.0 C, coldest -27.8 C
VALMORA 1893 to 2018, hottest 38.3 C, coldest -47.2 C
FT UNION 1895 to 1919, hottest 37.2 C, coldest -33.9 C
COLMOR 1905 to 1932, hottest 38.9 C, coldest -34.4 C
LEVY 1908 to 1961, hottest 42.2 C, coldest -33.9 C
CHACON 1909 to 1985, hottest 26.7 C, coldest -16.7 C
OPTIMO 1910 to 1959, hottest 37.8 C, coldest 2.8 C
LA CUEVA 1940 to 1947
OJO RICO RCH 1940 to 1956
GASCON 1953 to 2022, hottest 33.3 C, coldest -32.2 C
OCATE 2 NW 1960 to 2026, hottest 36.1 C, coldest -35.6 C
CHACON 2 S 1985 to 2010
OCATE 3.7 WNW 2015 to 2026
OCATE 3.4 WNW (TWR#1) 2018 to 2026
OCATE 3.0 WNW (TWR#2) 2018 to 2026
WAGON MOUND 19.1 SE 2019 to 2024
OCATE 3.7 W 2020 to 2022
CHACON 2.3 ENE 2020 to 2026
WAGON MOUND 6.9 SE 2021 to 2025
WAGON MOUND 3.2 WNW 2023 to 2026

LA CUEVA CANAL BELOW LA CUEVA, NM 1906 to 1971
MORA RIVER AT LA CUEVA, NM 1906 to 2026
MORA RIVER NEAR GOLONDRINAS, NM 1915 to 2026
MORA RIVER NR SHOEMAKER, NM 1919 to 1996
COYOTE CREEK NEAR GOLONDRINAS, NM 1929 to 2026
CANADIAN RIVER NEAR ROY, NM 1936 to 1965
MORA RIVER NEAR HOLMAN, NM 1953 to 1974
AGUA FRIA C NR HOLMAN, NM 1956 to 1963
COYOTE CREEK ABOVE GUADALUPITA, NM 1956 to 1974
MORA R NR WATROUS, NM 1956 to 1963
RIO LA CASA NR CLEVELAND, NM 1956 to 1970
RITO CEBOLLA NR GOLONDRINAS, NM 1956 to 1963
VIGIL CANYON NR HOLMAN, NM 1956 to 1963
LA SIERRA DITCH NEAR HOLMAN, NM 2003 to 2026
SIERRA DITCH NEAR CHACON, NM 2003 to 2026
CANONCITO DITCH NEAR HOLMAN, NM 2017 to 2026
ALAMITOS CREEK BLW CANONCITO DITCH NR HOLMAN, NM 2025 to 2026
ALAMITOS CREEK BLW FR 161H NR HOLMAN, NM 2025 to 2026

The 1950 census, district by district

27 districts

Who lived here in 1950, one enumeration district at a time, as the Census Bureau described each district. Each row opens its official National Archives result, with Population Schedules and ED Maps available there.

18-1Election Precinct 1, Mora
18-2Election Precinct 2, Cleveland
18-3Election Precinct 3, Guadalupita
18-4Election Precinct 4, Shoemaker
18-5Election Precinct 5, La Cueva
18-6Election Precinct 6, Ledoux
18-7Election Precinct 7, Golondrinas
18-8Election Precinct 8, Ocate
18-9Election Precinct 9, Holman
18-10Election Precinct 10, Lucero
18-11Election Precinct 11, Tiptonville
18-12Election Precinct 12, Wagon Mound: Wagon Mound village
18-13Election Precinct 12, Wagon Mound - That part outside Wagon Mound village
18-14Election Precinct 13, Armenta
18-15Election Precinct 14, Rainsville
18-16Election Precinct 15, Chacon
18-17Election Precinct 16, Abuelo
18-18Election Precinct 17, Carmen
18-19Election Precinct 18, Cordillera
18-20Election Precinct 19, Turquillo
18-21Election Precinct 20, Watrous
18-22Election Precinct 21, Gascon
18-23Election Precinct 22, Optimo
18-24Election Precinct 23, Naranjos
18-25Election Precinct 24, Nolan
18-26Election Precinct 25, Ojo Feliz
18-27Election Precinct 26, Bueno Esperanza

Wildfire, 1993 to 2020

698 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 698 of them, burning about 100,537 acres. 377 started naturally and 4 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause	Fires
Natural	377
Missing data/not specified/undetermined	205
Debris and open burning	57
Equipment and vehicle use	22
Recreation and ceremony	11
Smoking	10
Power generation/transmission/distribution	7
Arson/incendiarism	4
Misuse of fire by a minor	4
Other causes	1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

Date	Cause	Size	Reported by	Name on the report
16 June 2006	Natural	16,114 acres	New Mexico State Forestry Division	RIVERA MESA
12 April 2006	Missing data/not specified/undetermined	16,000 acres	New Mexico State Forestry Division	OJO FELIZ
15 March 2000	Missing data/not specified/undetermined	13,000 acres	New Mexico State Forestry Division	DIAMOND
20 May 2006	Natural	8,992 acres	New Mexico State Forestry Division	LEVI
2 June 2002	Natural	8,260 acres	Bandelier National Monument	CERO PELAD
22 May 2006	Natural	5,000 acres	New Mexico State Forestry Division	CERRO FIRE
1 May 2020	Debris and open burning	3,800 acres	Las Vegas District	MOORE
10 August 1994	Missing data/not specified/undetermined	3,000 acres	New Mexico State Forestry Division	HORMIGA

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1961 to 2025

60 of 214 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 214 reports for this county, causing 1 death, 1 injury and about $3,297,600 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event	Reports
Hail	141
Flash Flood	42
Tornado	12
Thunderstorm Wind	9
Funnel Cloud	5
Flood	3
Debris Flow	2

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

When	Event	Place named	Harm	What the report says
August 2022	Flash Flood	El Turquillo	1 killed, 1 hurt, $20,000	Heavy rain on the Calf Canyon burn scar caused flash flooding on Highway 434 near El Turquillo. A vehicle containing the 30-year-old driver John Vasquez and a 64-year-old passenger Benjamin Torres attempted to cross the flooded roadway, but were unsuccessful as the vehicle was caught in the flood waters. Vasquez was able to escape through an open car window with only minor injuries, but Torres remained trapped in the vehicle. Once the flood waters receded, first responders discovered Torres deceased in the vehicle 100 yards downstream. Vasquez was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol and fleeing an accident with knowledge of death or great bodily harm. Damages are estimated for the loss of the vehicle.
July 2021	Flash Flood	Chacon	$750,000	Heavy rain across the Luna burn scar resulted in major flash flooding in Luna Canyon and surrounding areas, and the force of the water altered the landscape. Water and debris destroyed one bridge and many roads became impassable. An observer reported that the water in the narrow Luna Canyon was several feet high. A CoCoRaHS observer near Chacon reported that the Luna Creek, which is usually just a few feet wide became 100 yards wide. Campsites on private land were demolished. The New Mexico Governor declared a state of emergency in Mora County for the significant flooding.
July 2022	Flash Flood	Holman	$500,000	An estimated one to two inches of rain across the northern portion of the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon burn scar in Mora County. This caused significant flash flooding across the burn scar with Highway 518 and the Holman area hit particularly hard. Highway 518 was washed out from near the Taos County line to Cleveland. Video obtained from multiple broadcast media sources showed fast moving water and debris flow impacting numerous residences in Holman, Chacon, and Cleveland. Canoncito Creek was had major overflow with water flowing onto pastures, around homes, across area roadways, and one spotter remarked that it created a lake in some places. Damages are estimated.
July 2022	Flash Flood	Mora	$300,000	Local law enforcement reported that heavy rain and debris flow made Highway 94 as well as County Road C 001 impassable which forced the closure of the roads. New Mexico Department of Transportation personnel worked through the overnight hours to clear the roadways and reopen them. Along Maestas Canyon, a lifelong resident was caught by surprise when four feet of water, mud, and debris came rushing down the canyon. A large shipping container also caught within the flood crashed into his cabin. The resident fled in his vehicle, and fortunately suffered no injuries. Damages are estimated.
April 1999	Flash Flood	Mora	$200,000	no account filed
July 2022	Flash Flood	Lucero	$150,000	An estimated 1 to 1.5 inches of heavy rain on the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon burn scar flooded New Mexico State Road 434, forcing the closure of the roadway. Near Guadalupita, a residential driveway turned into a raging river with deep water and debris. Canoncito Creek also flooded which was caused by debris caught in culverts. The creek overflowed into nearby pastures, onto Highway 518, and impacted homes within the area. The water was two feet deep in some locations. Damages are estimated.
July 2022	Flash Flood	Holman	$150,000	An estimated 2 to 3 inches of rain across the northern portion of the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon burn area caused significant flash flooding and debris flow across portions of western Mora County. Canoncito Creek overtopped the culvert and flooded Canoncito Road. Highway 94 was also impacted with widespread flooding and debris flow which forced the closure of the highway. Damages are estimated.
July 2022	Flash Flood	Mora	$100,000	Heavy rain on the northern portion of the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon burn scar caused significant flash flooding near Holman. Video obtained by KRQE showed fast moving water near residences in Holman, and this flooding also washed out Highway 518. Canoncito Creek overflowed again as well, creating deep water below homes and destroying a number of pastures. Damages are estimated.
September 2013	Flood	El Turquillo	$100,000	NM 434 was closed from mile markers 17 to 24 due to flooding over roadway. NM EOC Situation Report #6 indicated severe flooding throughout the county with numerous county roads washed out.
August 2022	Debris Flow	Chacon	$75,000	A rock slide on the Calf Canyon burn scar caused by heavy rainfall impacted New Mexico State Highway 121 from mile markers 3 to 5. This forced the closure of the roadway and trapped vehicles on the road. Damages are estimated.
August 2022	Debris Flow	Holman	$75,000	Heavy rain on the Calf Canyon burn scar caused debris flow along New Mexico State Highway 518, rendering the roadway impassable near Holman. Damages are estimated.
July 2022	Flash Flood	Gascon	$75,000	Heavy rain estimated at 1 to 1.5 inches caused major flooding on the northern portion of the Calf Canyon burn scar. The Gascon and Cleveland areas were hardest hit again as they have been for most of the month of July. In Gascon, fast moving water carried logs and boulders downstream, and Highway 105 near Camp Davis was flooded. A spotter remarked that four waterfalls were rushing down Gascon Peak. Near Cleveland, signficant flooding was reported along the Rio la Casa with boulders flowing downstream. At least two bridges were flooded, including one on Highway 518. Also near Cleveland, the Canoncito Creek overflowed its banks again, flooding pastures and several properties along the creek. Highway 518 was flooded along this creek as well. Damages are estimated.
July 2022	Flash Flood	Cleveland	$75,000	Heavy rain on the northern end of the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon burn scar caused flooding on the Canoncito Creek. This washed out roads, destroyed pastures, and inundated homes. Damages are estimated.
July 2022	Flash Flood	Holman	$75,000	A heavy thunderstorm over the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon burn scar early in the day on July 23rd dropped between 0.50 and 0.75 inches of rain. This prompted a Flash Flood Warning for the burn scar, however, no reports of flooding were received. The water from this thunderstorm was held back thanks to debris flow. Around midnight, the New Mexico State EOC relayed reports of major flooding and debris flow from a light shower that was only producing a couple hundredths of an inch. This light rain was enough to release the heavier rain that had fallen earlier that day which washed out roads and impacted the Holman area. Damages are estimated.
July 2022	Flash Flood	Gascon	$75,000	Flash flooding was observed on the northern portion of the Calf Canyon burn scar as heavy rain estimated at 0.75 inches to 1.5 inches fell. The Rito de Gascon rose about four feet and overtopped its banks. Nearby, raging flood waters were observed along a road near Monte Aplanado. The problematic Canoncito Creek also overtopped its banks again which flooded roads and pastures and destroyed fences. Damages are estimated.
June 2022	Flash Flood	Holman	$75,000	The Mora County emergency manager reported that the Canoncito Creek overtopped the culvert and flooded Canoncito Road. Damages are estimated.
June 2022	Flash Flood	Chacon	$75,000	The Mora County emergency manager reported debris flow near a house west of Highway 121 along Lea Road. Damages are estimated.
July 2021	Flash Flood	Chacon	$75,000	Rainfall totals just under one inch in a short period of time across the Luna burn scar resulted in flash flooding north of Chacon. The fast moving water and debris flow washed out large boulders and downed trees near Luna Canyon Road, and a private road to many cabins was also washed out. A CoCoRaHS observer reported that the Lujan Canyon road was impassable due to washed out culverts and large amounts of debris on the road. Damages are a rough estimate.
August 2025	Flash Flood	Cleveland	$50,000	Repeated rounds of thunderstorms resulted in flash Flooding along NM Highway 518 just north of Cleveland. A trained spotter observed at least 8 places where small creeks along the Rio Mora were exceeding banks and flooding the highway. Flash flooding also resulted in extreme damage to NM Highway 434. The highway was closed for emergency repairs for 2 to 3 days and was reopened a few days later after installing five corrugated metal pipes and restoring the roadway with a temporary dirt surface.
August 2022	Flash Flood	Holman	$50,000	Flash flooding on the Calf Canyon burn scar led to flash flooding and debris flow in the Holman area. A couple of homes near New Mexico State Road 518 one half mile south of State Road 121 were impacted by the flood waters, and water was reported over the roadway in some spots. Signifcant flooding was also reported on Canoncito and Encinal Creeks, endangering property and destroying pastures. County Road B-022 was flooded all the way across State Road 518 to the Mora River. Damages are estimated.
July 2022	Flash Flood	Chacon	$50,000	About 1.5 inches of heavy rain fell near Chacon on the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar. This caused flash flooding on area roadways, including Highways 121 and 519. Highway 121 reportedly had 2 to 3.5 feet of water along it while County Road B009 was under 5 feet of water due to a backed up culvert. Damages are estimated.
July 2021	Flash Flood	Chacon	$50,000	Trained spotters near Chacon reported 30 to 45 minutes of heavy rain across the Luna burn scar resulted in significant flash flooding in the area as well as three to twelve inches of mud and debris. The rapidly moving water also displaced boulders that blocked a residential driveway. Damages are a rough estimate.
July 2021	Flash Flood	Chacon	$30,000	A CoCoRaHS observer reported flash flooding along Luna Creek and Luna Canyon Road that resulted from heavy rain along the Luna burn scar north of Chacon. The observer also reported that some structures in the area had been damaged, but the extent or type of structures that sustained damage is unknown. Damages are a rough estimate.
August 2022	Flash Flood	Cleveland	$25,000	Heavy rain on the Calf Canyon burn scar led to flash flooding and debris flow in the Cleveland area. Flash flooding was reported along New Mexico State Road 518 with flood waters very close to nearby homes. Damages are estimated.
July 2021	Flash Flood	Chacon	$25,000	An estimated quarter of one inch of rain in under one hour on the Luna burn scar resulted in flash flooding in the area and areas downstream. This resulted in building damage along Luna Creek in Luna Canyon. The number of buildings damaged and to what extent is unknown. Damages are a rough estimate.
July 2010	Flash Flood	Holman	$20,000	Multiple dirt roads were washed out in an area called Tramperos. Vehicles were stuck in the mud and high water. The Bartley RAWS near Gascon received over 2 inches of rain in less than 2 hours time.
June 2003	Hail	Wagon Mound	$15,000	no account filed
July 2023	Flash Flood	Gascon	$10,000	A video shared on twitter showed fast moving flood waters carrying debris flowing behind a home along State Highway 105 near Gascon.
July 2018	Hail	Guadalupita	$5,000	Hail up to the size of quarters with strong winds and heavy rainfall impacted Guadalupita. A motorcycle, RV, carport, and casita roof was damage from the storm. Damage amounts are estimated.
July 2008	Flash Flood	El Turquillo	$5,000	State Road 434 was closed between mile markers 6 and 13 due to flooding.
August 1993	Hail	Wagon Mound	$5,000	Thunderstorms produced quater-size hail in Wagon Mound at 1700 MST.
July 2023	Hail	Wagon Mound	$3,000	Hail broke three skylights, damage is an estimate. Half-dollar size hail reported alongside larger but shorter duration 2.75 inch hail. Hail persisted until approximately 5:10 pm MDT before quitting.
June 2014	Hail	Wagon Mound	$3,000	Six inches of hail on Interstate 25 caused a semi-trailer truck to jack knife. Plows were dispatched.
June 2007	Hail	Watrous	$2,000	The hail ranged from 0.88 to 1.50 inches in diameter. Damage was reported to windows, trees and vegetation. A funnel cloud was also observed.
June 2007	Hail	Wagon Mound	$2,000	no account filed
October 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Wagon Mound	$1,000	Several downed trees and damage to an awning on a house were reported.
August 2007	Hail	Ojo Feliz	$600	The hail broke two windows in a home.
August 2017	Thunderstorm Wind	Wagon Mound	$500	A large tree branch was blown down onto the side of a home. A power line fell onto a nearby barn. No structural damage occurred.
May 1993	Hail	Watrous	$500	The public reported nickel-size hail in Watrous at 1630 MST.
May 2025	Flood	Buena Vista	-	A trained spotter reported that flooding from the rain on snow event that had ended on earlier in the week was continuing due to the fast warm-up in temperatures exacerbating the snowmelt. Flood impacts included streams and creeks overtopping area highways.
May 2025	Flood	Chacon	-	A trained spotter near Chacon confirmed reports from various sources across social media and broadcast media of flooding across the eastern slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains resulting from heavy rain and heavy rain on snow within the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar. Photos and video were shared of high rises on area creeks and streams near Chacon within the Luna Creek. The NM DOT also posted reports of standing water on NM 434 between mile markers 7 and 14 between El Turquillo and Guadalupita, NM.
August 2025	Hail	Naranjos	-	CoCoRaHS observer near Ocate reported hail between quarter to half dollar size from a severe thunderstorm.
June 2025	Flash Flood	Cleveland	-	The public reported flooding off the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar along the Rio la Casa above Cleveland, NM.
June 2025	Flash Flood	Holman	-	Flash flooding off the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar along NM 518 has closed the highway between mile markers 37 and 38.
September 2025	Hail	Ojo Feliz	-	A trained spotter in Ojo Feliz observed nickel size hail from a strong thunderstorm.
July 2024	Flash Flood	Guadalupita	-	NM DOT reported flooding on mile marker 7 along NM 434 which prompted a road closure and the deployment of a cleanup crew to clear rocks and debris.
July 2024	Hail	Rainsville	-	A severe thunderstorm produced hail up to golf ball size and a peak wind gust of 60 mph in Rainsville.
September 2024	Flash Flood	Chacon	-	Fast flowing from a nearby culvert washed out a dirt road a few miles south of Chacon, within the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar. The location is estimated.
August 2024	Flash Flood	Mora	-	Local law enforcement reported flash flooding just outside of the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar along NM 434 at mile marker 3 that closed the road.
August 2024	Flash Flood	Lucero	-	NM State Police reported a road closure on State Highway 434 due to flooding and runoff from the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar flowing across the road. Road closure time estimated based on radar data.
July 2023	Hail	Wagon Mound	-	Quarter size hail reported in Wagon Mound on the edge of a passing thunderstorm.
July 2023	Hail	Wagon Mound	-	Half-dollar size hail reported alongside larger but shorter duration 2.75 inch hail. Hail persisted until approximately 5:10 pm MDT before quitting.
July 2023	Hail	Wagon Mound	-	Golf ball sized hail fell with a rapidly developing supercell between Wagon Mound and Roy.
May 2023	Flash Flood	Guadalupita	-	Twitter report of flash flooding near Guadalupita within the Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon burn scar. Drainage below Silva Canyon on the burn scar flowed out of the banks and flooded nearby driveways and properties near SR-434 south of Guadalupita. Damages are unknown.
August 2023	Flash Flood	Holman	-	Debris flow across State Highway 518 in Holman required removal of rocks and mud across the road.
July 2023	Flash Flood	Ledoux	-	Heavy rain caused flash flooding within the Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon burn scar along State Highway 94 at mile marker 15, closing the road.
July 2023	Flash Flood	Lucero	-	Heavy rain caused flash flooding within the Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon burn scar along state highway 434 at mile markers 4 and 5, closing the road.
June 2023	Flash Flood	El Turquillo	-	The local emergency manager relayed reports of flash flooding over State Highway 434 at several locations between mile markers 7 and 10. There was also flooding reported over nearby county roads, including roads A034, A020, and B022 near Guadalupita and Coyote Creek State Park. No damage was reported.
June 2023	Hail	Ocate	-	Very heavy rain and quarter sized hail falling at the time of report.
October 2023	Hail	Wagon Mound	-	Heavy accumulations of dime to nickel size hail was observed on the ground.

Mines and quarries

62 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 62 workings inside this county. 1 still produces and 61 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity	Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction	38
Copper	6
Geothermal	5
Uranium	5
Pumice	3
Mica	2
Lithium	2
Uranium, Vanadium, Copper	1
Stone, Crushed/Broken	1
Niobium (Columbium), Tantalum, REE, Lithium	1
Silver, Uranium	1
Beryllium	1
Uranium, Copper	1
Beryllium, Tantalum	1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Site	Commodity	Status	Recorded
Don Schutz Pit	Stone, Crushed/Broken	Past Producer
John Hays Mine	Copper, Silver, Uranium	Past Producer	1885, 1917
Le Deoux Ranch Lease Mine	Uranium, Vanadium, Copper	Past Producer	1885, 1954
Lepidolite Shaft	Lithium, Beryllium, Tantalum	Past Producer
Mora Beryl Prospect	Beryllium	Occurrence
Pidlite	Niobium (Columbium), Tantalum, REE, Lithium	Occurrence	Microlite
Unnamed Prospects	Uranium, Copper	Occurrence
A & M Mining	Mica	Prospect
Great Western Mine	Mica	Past Producer	1949, 1952
Pidlite Pegmatite	Lithium	Unknown
Cerro Del Oro North Pit	Pumice	Unknown
Cerro Del Oro South Pit	Pumice	Unknown
La Chata Crater	Pumice	Unknown
Arkansas Fuel 1 Kruse	Geothermal	Unknown
Cities Service 1 Fort Union	Geothermal	Unknown
Fulton 1 Santa Fe	Geothermal	Unknown
Laizy Daisy	Uranium	Unknown
Mobil 1 Wiggins	Geothermal	Unknown
Mobil 1 Wooten	Geothermal	Unknown
Unnamed Mine	Copper, Uranium	Prospect
Unnamed Prospect	Copper, Uranium	Occurrence
Unnamed Prospect	Copper, Uranium	Occurrence
Unnamed Prospect	Copper, Uranium	Prospect
John Hays Mine	Copper	Past Producer
B.T.U. Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Producer	Sedimentary
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pits	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown
Materials Pits	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Unknown

Every populated place in the county

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on. The 2 places that were also surveyed for fire insurance come first, with the number of atlases and photographs held for them.

Mora

Mora census division · 87732 · On Eagle Creek · Mora quadrangle

16 sheets, 1889 to 2002

Fire insurance: 2 atlases
Wagon Mound

Wagon Mound census division · 87752 · Near The Wagon Mound · Wagon Mound quadrangle

8 sheets, 1954 to 1981

Fire insurance: 3 atlases
Abuelo

Mora census division · 87732 · Mora quadrangle

16 sheets, 1889 to 2002
Alamito

Wagon Mound census division · 87752 · Near El Sierro · Alamito quadrangle

7 sheets, 1954 to 1981
Buena Vista

Mora census division · 87712 · Near Amola Ridge · Rainsville quadrangle

15 sheets, 1889 to 1983
Canoncito

Mora census division · 87732 · On La Canada del Guajalote · Mora quadrangle

16 sheets, 1889 to 2002
Cañon

Mora census division · 87732 · Mora quadrangle

16 sheets, 1889 to 2002
Chacon

Mora census division · 87713 · Near Quemado Canyon · Chacon quadrangle

11 sheets, 1954 to 1995
Cherry Valley

Wagon Mound census division · 87753 · Cherry Valley Lake quadrangle

13 sheets, 1892 to 1981

No longer a settlement
Ciruela

Wagon Mound census division · 87752 · Optimo quadrangle

13 sheets, 1892 to 1981
Cleveland

Mora census division · 87715 · Near Comanche Canyon · Mora quadrangle

16 sheets, 1889 to 2002
Cordillera

Mora census division · 87715 · On Rio la Casa · Mora quadrangle

16 sheets, 1889 to 2002
El Alto

Mora census division · 87732 · On Cañada de la Tierra Blanco · Mora quadrangle

16 sheets, 1889 to 2002
El Turquillo

Mora census division · 87722 · Near Solis Canyon · Comanche Peak quadrangle

12 sheets, 1954 to 1994
Gascon

Mora census division · 87742 · On Cañada Lovato · Gascon quadrangle

16 sheets, 1889 to 2002
Golondrinas

Mora census division · 87712 · Rainsville quadrangle

15 sheets, 1889 to 1983
Guadalupita

Mora census division · 87722 · Near Williams Canyon · Guadalupita quadrangle

10 sheets, 1954 to 1994
Halls Peak

Wagon Mound census division · 87734 · Near Gallinas Mesa · Ocate quadrangle

11 sheets, 1954 to 1994

No longer a settlement
Holman

Mora census division · 87723 · Near Vigil Canyon · Holman quadrangle

10 sheets, 1954 to 1995
La Cueva

Mora census division · 87712 · On La Canada del Guajalote · Rainsville quadrangle

15 sheets, 1889 to 1983
La Jara

Mora census division · 87722 · On Jarosa Creek · Lucero quadrangle

10 sheets, 1954 to 1994
Ledoux

Mora census division · 87732 · Near Garcia Canyon · Mora quadrangle

16 sheets, 1889 to 2002
Levy

Wagon Mound census division · 87752 · Wagon Mound quadrangle

8 sheets, 1954 to 1981
Loma Parda

Wagon Mound census division · 87753 · Loma Parda quadrangle

14 sheets, 1889 to 1983
Los Cisneros

Mora census division · 87722 · On La Canada del Carro · Lucero quadrangle

10 sheets, 1954 to 1994
Los Cocas

Mora census division · 87722 · Near Silva Canyon · Lucero quadrangle

10 sheets, 1954 to 1994
Los Huerros

Wagon Mound census division · 87734 · In Los Huerros Canyon · Ocate quadrangle

11 sheets, 1954 to 1994
Los LeFebres

Wagon Mound census division · 87734 · Near LeFebres Canyon · Ocate quadrangle

11 sheets, 1954 to 1994
Los Medinas

Mora census division · 87732 · Near El Cerro Colorado · Lucero quadrangle

10 sheets, 1954 to 1994
Lucero

Mora census division · 87722 · Lucero quadrangle

10 sheets, 1954 to 1994
Monte Aplanado

Mora census division · 87732 · Gascon quadrangle

16 sheets, 1889 to 2002
Naranjos

Wagon Mound census division · 87734 · Near Los Naranjos Peak · Mora Ranch quadrangle

8 sheets, 1954 to 1981
Nolan

Wagon Mound census division · 87752 · Colmor quadrangle

8 sheets, 1954 to 1981

No longer a settlement
North Carmen

Mora census division · 87732 · Near Tomas Canyon · Mora quadrangle

16 sheets, 1889 to 2002
Ocate

Wagon Mound census division · 87734 · On Los Huerros Creek · Ocate quadrangle

11 sheets, 1954 to 1994
Ojo Feliz

Wagon Mound census division · 87735 · Near Cerro del Amole · Ojo Feliz quadrangle

11 sheets, 1954 to 1994
Optimo

Wagon Mound census division · 87752 · On Arroyo Tierra Blanca · Optimo quadrangle

13 sheets, 1892 to 1981
Pacheco Village

Mora census division · 87732 · On Aito del Taico · Gascon quadrangle

16 sheets, 1889 to 2002
Puertocito

Mora census division · 87732 · Near Capulin Hill · Mora quadrangle

16 sheets, 1889 to 2002
Rainsville

Mora census division · 87736 · Rainsville quadrangle

15 sheets, 1889 to 1983
Santa Gertrudis

Mora census division · 87732 · Near Eagle Peak · Mora quadrangle

16 sheets, 1889 to 2002

No longer a settlement
Shoemaker

Wagon Mound census division · 87753 · On Dog Creek · Watrous quadrangle

13 sheets, 1892 to 1981
South Carmen

Mora census division · 87732 · Near Las Quebraditas Valley · Mora quadrangle

16 sheets, 1889 to 2002
Tiptonville

Wagon Mound census division · 87753 · Watrous quadrangle

13 sheets, 1892 to 1981
Vallecitos

Mora census division · 87715 · Gascon quadrangle

16 sheets, 1889 to 2002
Valmora

Wagon Mound census division · 87753 · On Wolf Creek · Watrous quadrangle

13 sheets, 1892 to 1981
Watrous

Wagon Mound census division · 87753 · On Sapello River · Watrous quadrangle

13 sheets, 1892 to 1981

The vanished settlements of Mora County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.

Recorded here

Wagon Mound, New Mexico

8 topographic sheets and 3 fire insurance atlases, 1921 to 1929

Mora, New Mexico

16 topographic sheets and 2 fire insurance atlases, 1930

Everything this county holds

The complete index, with nothing left out. Each of these is a separate record with its own page: a federal survey report, or the case file that argued a property on to the National Register. Both are public domain and reproduced word for word.

Surveyed structures

33 structures

The vanished settlements of Mora County, the places these records name that are no longer on the map.

Provenance

Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.