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Coordinates: 35°10′12″N 103°43′32″W / 35.17000°N 103.72556°W / 35.17000; -103.72556
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{{Short description|City in the United States}}
{{redirect|Tucumcari}}
{{Redirect|Tucumcari}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Tucumcari, New Mexico
|name = Tucumcari, New Mexico
Line 17: Line 19:
| pushpin_map = USA
| pushpin_map = USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
| pushpin_relief = yes
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
Line 28: Line 31:
|established_title = Founded
|established_title = Founded
|established_date = 1901
|established_date = 1901
|area_magnitude =
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web |title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory |url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='35'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=October 12, 2022}}</ref>
|area_total_sq_mi = 9.51
|area_total_sq_mi = 9.51
|area_total_km2 = 24.63
|area_total_km2 = 24.63
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|area_water_sq_mi = 0.00
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.00
|area_water_km2 = 0.00
|area_water_km2 = 0.00
|population_as_of = [[2010 United States Census|2010]]
|population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/>
|population_total = 5363
|population_total = 5278
|population_metro =
|population_metro =
|population_density_km2 = 197.65
|population_density_km2 = 214.34
|population_density_sq_mi = 511.94
|population_density_sq_mi = 555.17
|timezone = [[Mountain Standard Time Zone|MST]]
|timezone = [[Mountain Standard Time Zone|MST]]
| utc_offset = −7
|utc_offset = −7
|timezone_DST = [[Mountain Daylight Time|MDT]]
|timezone_DST = [[Mountain Daylight Time|MDT]]
| utc_offset_DST = −6
|utc_offset_DST = −6
|coordinates = {{coord|35|10|10|N|103|43|32|W|region:US-NM_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates = {{Coord|35|10|12|N|103|43|32|W|region:US-NM_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_m = 1247
|elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft = 4091
|elevation_ft = 4032
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code = 88401
|postal_code = 88401
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|blank_info = 35-79910
|blank_info = 35-79910
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 0915909
|blank1_info = 2412105<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2412105}}</ref>
|website = [http://www.cityoftucumcari.com City Website]
|website = [http://www.cityoftucumcari.com City Website]
|footnotes =
|footnotes =
|pop_est_as_of = 2019
|pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref>
|population_est = 4867
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_35.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 27, 2020}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''Tucumcari''' ({{IPAc-en|'|t|u:|k|@|m|,|k|aer|i:}}; {{respell|TOO|cum|carry}}) is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Quay County, New Mexico|Quay County]], [[New Mexico]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The population was 5,363 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]]. Tucumcari was founded in 1901, two years before Quay County was established.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/html/tucumcari.html|title=Request Rejected|website=www.usbr.gov|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref>
'''Tucumcari''' ({{IPAc-en|'|t|u:|k|@|m|,|k|aer|i:}}; {{respell|TOO|cum|carry}}) is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Quay County, New Mexico|Quay County]], [[New Mexico]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The population was 5,278 at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 census">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/tucumcaricitynewmexico,US/PST045221 |access-date=2022-05-28 |title=QuickFacts Tucumcari city, New Mexico}}</ref> Tucumcari was founded in 1901, two years before [[Quay County]] was established.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/html/tucumcari.html |title= |publisher=www.usbr.gov |access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[File:New Mexico - Silver City through Zuni Buttes - NARA - 68144891 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Tucumcari in 1929]]
In 1901, the [[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad]] built a construction camp in the western portion of modern-day Quay County. Originally called Ragtown, the camp became known as "Six Shooter Siding", due to numerous gunfights. Its first formal name, Douglas, was used only for a short time.<ref name="name">{{cite web|title=Tucumcari|publisher=New Mexico Office of the State Historian|url=http://www.newmexicohistory.org/filedetails_docs.php?fileID=391|access-date=2012-11-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415153024/http://www.newmexicohistory.org/filedetails_docs.php?fileID=391|archive-date=2013-04-15}}</ref> After it grew into a permanent settlement, it was renamed Tucumcari in 1908. The name was taken from [[Tucumcari Mountain]], which is situated near the community.<ref>{{cite web|title=Photo Guide:T|publisher=Southwest Collection Library|url=http://www.swco.ttu.edu/Guide/Photo/Tph.htm|access-date=2008-09-18}}</ref> The origin of the mountain's name is uncertain; it may have been derived from the Comanche word ''tʉkamʉkarʉ'', which means 'ambush'.<ref>Lila Wistrand-Robinson & James Armagost. ''Comanche Dictionary and Grammar'', 2nd edition (2012, Summer Institute of Linguistics).</ref> A 1777 burial record mentions a Comanche woman and her child captured in a battle at Cuchuncari, which is believed to be an early version of the name Tucumcari.<ref name="name" /><ref>"Cuchuncari", however, is from Old Comanche ''kuhtsunkarɨ'' 'buffalo sitting'.</ref>
In 1901, the [[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad]] built a construction camp in the western portion of modern-day Quay County. Originally called Ragtown, the camp became known as "Six Shooter Siding", due to numerous gunfights. Its first formal name, Douglas, was used only for a short time.<ref name="name">{{cite web|title=Tucumcari|publisher=New Mexico Office of the State Historian|url=http://www.newmexicohistory.org/filedetails_docs.php?fileID=391|access-date=2012-11-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415153024/http://www.newmexicohistory.org/filedetails_docs.php?fileID=391|archive-date=2013-04-15}}</ref> After it grew into a permanent settlement, it was renamed Tucumcari in 1908. The name was taken from [[Tucumcari Mountain]], which is situated near the community.<ref>{{cite web|title=Photo Guide:T|publisher=Southwest Collection Library|url=http://www.swco.ttu.edu/Guide/Photo/Tph.htm|access-date=2008-09-18}}</ref> The origin of the mountain's name is uncertain; it may have been derived from the Comanche word ''tʉkamʉkarʉ'', which means 'ambush'.<ref>Lila Wistrand-Robinson & James Armagost. ''Comanche Dictionary and Grammar'', 2nd edition (2012, Summer Institute of Linguistics).</ref> A 1777 burial record mentions a Comanche woman and her child captured in a battle at Cuchuncari, which is believed to be an early version of the name Tucumcari.<ref name="name" /><ref>"Cuchuncari", however, is from Old Comanche ''kuhtsunkarɨ'' 'buffalo sitting'.</ref>


In December 1951, a water storage tank collapsed in the city. Four were killed and numerous buildings were destroyed.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Barnhart|first1=Charles E.|last2=May|first2=Marvin C.|last3=Wager-Smith|first3=D. R. W.|last4=Bailey|first4=Arthur P.|last5=Hill|first5=H. O.|last6=Greenberg|first6=S. A.|date=1952|title=The Tucumcari Tank Failure: New Mexico Society of Professional Engineers [with Discussion]|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41236514|journal=Journal (American Water Works Association)|volume=44|issue=5|pages=435–441|doi=10.1002/j.1551-8833.1952.tb15382.x|jstor=41236514|issn=0003-150X}}</ref>
In December 1951, a water storage tank collapsed in the city. Four were killed and numerous buildings were destroyed.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Barnhart|first1=Charles E.|last2=May|first2=Marvin C.|last3=Wager-Smith|first3=D. R. W.|last4=Bailey|first4=Arthur P.|last5=Hill|first5=H. O.|last6=Greenberg|first6=S. A.|date=1952|title=The Tucumcari Tank Failure: New Mexico Society of Professional Engineers [with Discussion]|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41236514|journal=Journal (American Water Works Association)|volume=44|issue=5|pages=435–441|doi=10.1002/j.1551-8833.1952.tb15382.x|jstor=41236514|issn=0003-150X}}</ref>


In 2014, a series of suspicious fires destroyed abandoned buildings, including the Tucumcari Motel, Payless Motel, and a house in the 500 block of North Fourth Street. A former Tucumcari Police Department officer and several others have been charged with arson.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://qcsunonline.com/2014/09/03/payless-motel-abandoned-house-destroyed-by-fire/ |title=Payless Inn, abandoned house destroyed by fire |access-date=2014-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021200341/http://qcsunonline.com/2014/09/03/payless-motel-abandoned-house-destroyed-by-fire/ |archive-date=2014-10-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.qcsunonline.com/2014/10/10/former-tucumcari-police-officer-target-of-state-police-investigation/ |title=Former Tucumcari police officer target of state police investigation |access-date=2014-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015044318/http://www.qcsunonline.com/2014/10/10/former-tucumcari-police-officer-target-of-state-police-investigation/ |archive-date=2014-10-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.qcsunonline.com/2014/09/09/fires-destroy-2-abandoned-tucumcari-motels/ |title=Fires destroy 2 abandoned Tucumcari motels |access-date=2014-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014160905/http://www.qcsunonline.com/2014/09/09/fires-destroy-2-abandoned-tucumcari-motels/ |archive-date=2014-10-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The town formerly hosted an [[air show]] each year. The show held on October 4, 2006, was canceled after one hour when a single-engine plane crashed, resulting in the pilot's death.<ref>[http://www.kvii.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=18603 Fatal accident at air show : News : KVII<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928040317/http://www.kvii.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=18603 |date=2007-09-28 }}</ref>
===Former railroad transit point===
===Former railroad transit point===
Tucumcari until the mid-twentieth century was a junction for transcontinental train service. The [[Rock Island Railroad]] ran pool train operations with the [[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific]], with transfers at the station (for the Tucumcari-Los Angeles leg of the trip). The ''[[Choctaw Rocket]]'' (Memphis-Little Rock-Tucumcari-El Paso-Los Angeles) made the switch there (for the coach cars). The ''[[Golden State (train)|Golden State]]'' (Chicago-Kansas City-Topeka-Tucumcari-El Paso-Los Angeles) ran continuous through the town.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
Tucumcari until the mid-twentieth century was a junction for transcontinental train service. The [[Rock Island Railroad]] ran pool train operations with the [[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific]], with transfers at the station (for the Tucumcari-Los Angeles leg of the trip). The ''[[Choctaw Rocket]]'' (Memphis-Little Rock-Tucumcari-El Paso-Los Angeles) made the switch there (for the coach cars). The ''[[Golden State (train)|Golden State]]'' (Chicago-Kansas City-Topeka-Tucumcari-El Paso-Los Angeles) ran continuously through the town.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

===Cattle ranches===
* [[Bell Ranch]] - created from a land grant in 1824 and now one of the very largest ranches in the United States
* [[T4 Cattle Company]] - founded in 1902 and continues to be a family run enterprise, one of the country's largest ranches


==Geography==
==Geography==
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===Climate===
===Climate===
Tucumcari has a [[Semi-arid climate|cool semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BSk''), characterized by cool winters and hot summers. Rainfall is relatively low except during the summer months, when thunderstorms associated with the [[North American Monsoon|North American monsoon]] can bring locally heavy downpours. Snowfall is generally light, with a mean of {{convert|19.4|in|m|2|disp=or}} and a median of {{convert|9.7|in|m|2|disp=or}}. Due to the frequency of low humidity, wide [[Diurnal temperature variation|daily]] temperature variations are normal.
Tucumcari has a [[Semi-arid climate|cool semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BSk''), characterized by cool winters and hot summers. Rainfall is relatively low except during the summer months, when thunderstorms associated with the [[North American Monsoon|North American monsoon]] can bring locally heavy downpours. Snowfall is generally light, with an average of {{convert|14.9|in|m|2}}. Due to the frequency of low humidity, wide [[Diurnal temperature variation|daily]] temperature variations are normal.


The record high temperature at Tucumcari was {{convert|110|F|C}} on July 13, 2020, and the record low temperature {{convert|-22|F|C}} on January 13, 1963. The hottest monthly mean maximum has been {{convert|100.5|F|C|1|disp=or}} in July 2011 and the coldest mean minimum {{convert|12.4|F|C|1|disp=or}} in January 1963, although the coldest month by mean maximum was January 1949, with a mean high of {{convert|38.6|F|C|1|disp=or}}.<ref name="NOW">[http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=abq Albuquerque National Weather Service]; NOW Data</ref>
The record high temperature at Tucumcari was {{convert|111|F|C}} on June 11, 2022, and the record low temperature {{convert|-22|F|C}} on January 13, 1963. The hottest monthly mean maximum has been {{convert|100.5|F|C|1}} in July 2011 and the coldest mean minimum {{convert|12.4|F|C|1}} in January 1963, although the coldest month by mean maximum was January 1949, with a mean high of {{convert|38.6|F|C|1|disp=or}}.<ref name=NOWData />


The wettest calendar year has been 1941, with {{convert|34.94|in|mm|1}} and the driest, 1934, with {{convert|6.13|in|mm|1}}.<ref name="NOW"/> The most rainfall in one month was {{convert|11.19|in|mm|1}} in July 1950. The most rainfall in 24 hours was {{convert|4.41|in|mm|1}} on June 21, 1971. The most snowfall in one year was {{convert|46.7|in|m|2}}, from July 1918 to June 1919. The most snowfall in one month was {{convert|30.0|in|m|2}}, in February 1912.<ref name="NOW"/>
The wettest calendar year has been 1941, with {{convert|34.94|in|mm|1}} and the driest, 1934, with {{convert|6.13|in|mm|1}}. The most rainfall in one month was {{convert|11.19|in|mm|1}} in July 1950. The most rainfall in 24 hours was {{convert|4.41|in|mm|1}} on June 21, 1971. The most snowfall in one year was {{convert|51.2|in|m|2}}, from July 1911 to June 1912. The most snowfall in one month was {{convert|30.0|in|m|2}}, in February 1912.<ref name=NOWData />


{{Weather box|width=auto
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Tucumcari 4 NE (1971-2000; extremes 1904-2001)
|location = Tucumcari, New Mexico, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1904–present
|single line = Y
|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 80
|Jan record high F = 80
|Feb record high F = 83
|Feb record high F = 87
|Mar record high F = 92
|Mar record high F = 92
|Apr record high F = 97
|Apr record high F = 97
|May record high F = 103
|May record high F = 103
|Jun record high F = 109
|Jun record high F = 111
|Jul record high F = 110
|Jul record high F = 110
|Aug record high F = 107
|Aug record high F = 108
|Sep record high F = 104
|Sep record high F = 105
|Oct record high F = 97
|Oct record high F = 97
|Nov record high F = 87
|Nov record high F = 90
|Dec record high F = 82
|Dec record high F = 82
|year record high F = 110
|year record high F =

|Jan high F = 52.7
|Feb high F = 57.6
|Jan avg record high F = 72.1
|Mar high F = 65
|Feb avg record high F = 76.9
|Apr high F = 72.4
|Mar avg record high F = 84.4
|May high F = 80.9
|Apr avg record high F = 89.3
|Jun high F = 89.9
|May avg record high F = 95.8
|Jul high F = 93
|Jun avg record high F = 103.5
|Aug high F = 90.7
|Jul avg record high F = 103.8
|Sep high F = 83.9
|Aug avg record high F = 101.4
|Oct high F = 74.3
|Sep avg record high F = 98.0
|Nov high F = 61.5
|Oct avg record high F = 90.8
|Dec high F = 53
|Nov avg record high F = 81.1
|year high F = 72.9
|Dec avg record high F = 73.2
|Jan low F = 22.9
|year avg record high F = 105.7

|Feb low F = 27.1
|Mar low F = 33.9
|Jan high F = 53.4
|Apr low F = 41.5
|Feb high F = 57.9
|May low F = 51.2
|Mar high F = 65.7
|Jun low F = 60.2
|Apr high F = 73.3
|Jul low F = 64.3
|May high F = 82.0
|Aug low F = 62.7
|Jun high F = 92.0
|Sep low F = 55.2
|Jul high F = 94.5
|Oct low F = 44
|Aug high F = 92.3
|Nov low F = 32.4
|Sep high F = 85.5
|Dec low F = 24.2
|Oct high F = 74.6
|year low F = 43.3
|Nov high F = 62.6
|Dec high F = 53.4
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 39.0
|Feb mean F = 43.0
|Mar mean F = 50.2
|Apr mean F = 57.7
|May mean F = 66.9
|Jun mean F = 76.7
|Jul mean F = 80.1
|Aug mean F = 78.1
|Sep mean F = 71.2
|Oct mean F = 59.4
|Nov mean F = 48.1
|Dec mean F = 39.5
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 24.7
|Feb low F = 28.1
|Mar low F = 34.8
|Apr low F = 42.2
|May low F = 51.8
|Jun low F = 61.4
|Jul low F = 65.7
|Aug low F = 63.9
|Sep low F = 56.8
|Oct low F = 44.3
|Nov low F = 33.6
|Dec low F = 25.6
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 9.2
|Feb avg record low F = 12.0
|Mar avg record low F = 18.2
|Apr avg record low F = 27.6
|May avg record low F = 37.0
|Jun avg record low F = 50.4
|Jul avg record low F = 58.5
|Aug avg record low F = 56.8
|Sep avg record low F = 43.5
|Oct avg record low F = 28.1
|Nov avg record low F = 17.3
|Dec avg record low F = 8.7
|year avg record low F = 4.2

|Jan record low F = −22
|Jan record low F = −22
|Feb record low F = −16
|Feb record low F = −16
Line 137: Line 191:
|Nov record low F = −2
|Nov record low F = −2
|Dec record low F = −12
|Dec record low F = −12
|year record low F = −22
|year record low F =

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.41
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.42
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.43
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.38
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.81
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.93
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.12
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.03
|May precipitation inch = 1.84
|May precipitation inch = 1.76
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.19
|Jun precipitation inch = 1.80
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.64
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.84
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.73
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.60
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.68
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.63
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.44
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.41
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.75
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.57
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.53
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.70

|Jan precipitation days = 3.5
|Feb precipitation days = 3.2
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Mar precipitation days = 3.7
|Jan precipitation days = 2.7
|Apr precipitation days = 3.9
|Feb precipitation days = 3.0
|May precipitation days = 6.2
|Mar precipitation days = 3.9
|Jun precipitation days = 6.7
|Apr precipitation days = 4.7
|Jul precipitation days = 7.3
|May precipitation days = 5.9
|Aug precipitation days = 8.8
|Jun precipitation days = 6.4
|Sep precipitation days = 6.2
|Jul precipitation days = 8.9
|Oct precipitation days = 4.3
|Aug precipitation days = 9.4
|Nov precipitation days = 3.2
|Sep precipitation days = 5.6
|Dec precipitation days = 3.3
|Oct precipitation days = 5.8
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 inch
|Nov precipitation days = 3.3
|Jan snow inch = 5.2
|Dec precipitation days = 3.9

|Feb snow inch = 3.5
|Mar snow inch = 1.9
|Jan snow inch = 3.8
|Apr snow inch = 1.6
|Feb snow inch = 2.1
|Mar snow inch = 1.5
|Apr snow inch = 0.4
|May snow inch = 0.0
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
Line 173: Line 229:
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.4
|Oct snow inch = 0.8
|Nov snow inch = 1.7
|Nov snow inch = 2.2
|Dec snow inch = 5.1
|Dec snow inch = 4.1
|Jan snow days = 2.4
|year snow inch =

|Feb snow days = 1.6
|Mar snow days = 1.1
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Apr snow days = 0.4
|Jan snow days = 1.6
|Feb snow days = 1.4
|Mar snow days = 1.0
|Apr snow days = 0.3
|May snow days = 0.0
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
Line 185: Line 244:
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.2
|Oct snow days = 0.3
|Nov snow days = 1
|Nov snow days = 1.2
|Dec snow days = 2.3
|Dec snow days = 2.2
|unit snow days = 0.1 inch
|year snow days = 8.0

|source 1 = <ref>[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]; Climatography of the United States No. 20: 1971-2000; [http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim20/nm/299156.pdf TUCUMCARI 4 NE, NM]</ref>
|Jan snow depth inch = 3.7
|date=August 2010
|Feb snow depth inch = 1.9
|Mar snow depth inch = 1.8
|Apr snow depth inch = 0.8
|May snow depth inch = 0.0
|Jun snow depth inch = 0.0
|Jul snow depth inch = 0.0
|Aug snow depth inch = 0.0
|Sep snow depth inch = 0.0
|Oct snow depth inch = 0.4
|Nov snow depth inch = 1.9
|Dec snow depth inch = 3.6
|year snow depth inch = 5.8

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00299156&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access - Station: Tucumcati 4NE, NM
|access-date = November 1, 2022
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=abq
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data - NWS Albuquerque
|access-date = November 1, 2022
}}
</ref>
}}
}}


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|2020= 5278
|2020= 5278
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="2020 census"/><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:35&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=Oct 12, 2022}}</ref>
}}
}}
[[File:TucMt.jpg|thumb|[[Tucumcari Mountain]], 2007]]
[[File:TucMt.jpg|thumb|[[Tucumcari Mountain]], 2007]]
[[File:Tucumcari Grain Elevator 2011.jpg|thumb|Attebury Grain Elevator, 2011]]
[[File:Tucumcari Grain Elevator 2011.jpg|thumb|Attebury Grain Elevator, 2011]]


As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 5,989 people, 2,489 households, and 1,607 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 793.8 people per square mile (306.7/km{{sup|2}}). There were 3,065 housing units at an average density of 406.2 per square mile (156.9/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup of the city was 75.87% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.29% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.39% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.20% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.22% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 17.10% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.94% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 51.41% of the population.
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 5,989 people, 2,489 households, and 1,607 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|793.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,065 housing units at an average density of {{convert|406.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 75.87% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.29% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.39% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.20% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.22% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 17.10% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.94% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 51.41% of the population.


There were 2,489 households, out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.
There were 2,489 households, out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.
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==Arts and culture==
==Arts and culture==
The buildings formerly at Metropolitan Park (locally known as "Five Mile Park" because it is located about five miles (8&nbsp;km) outside of town) were designed by Trent Thomas, adapted from his design of [[La Fonda Hotel]] in [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]]. The park once featured New Mexico's largest outdoor swimming pool. Owing to deterioration, Metropolitan Park was named to the New Mexico Heritage Preservation Alliance's list of Most Endangered for 2003.<ref>[http://www.nmheritage.org/endangered/2003.php?ID=75 NMHeritage.org: Resources: NM Preservation Resources<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212132104/http://www.nmheritage.org/endangered/2003.php?ID=75 |date=2007-02-12 }}</ref> In 2010, the park's main building caught fire and burnt to the ground. The city of Tucumcari razed the site weeks after the fire.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qcsunonline.com/articles/playground-8525-relocate-officials.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-01-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715133858/http://www.qcsunonline.com/articles/playground-8525-relocate-officials.html |archive-date=2011-07-15 }}</ref>
The buildings formerly at Metropolitan Park (locally known as "Five Mile Park" because it is located about five miles (8&nbsp;km) outside of town) were designed by Trent Thomas, adapted from his design of [[La Fonda Hotel]] in [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]]. The park once featured New Mexico's largest outdoor swimming pool. Owing to deterioration, Metropolitan Park was named to the New Mexico Heritage Preservation Alliance's list of Most Endangered for 2003.<ref>[http://www.nmheritage.org/endangered/2003.php?ID=75 NMHeritage.org: Resources: NM Preservation Resources<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212132104/http://www.nmheritage.org/endangered/2003.php?ID=75 |date=2007-02-12 }}</ref> In 2010, the park's main building caught fire and burnt to the ground. The city of Tucumcari razed the site weeks after the fire.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qcsunonline.com/articles/playground-8525-relocate-officials.html |title=Officials to relocate playground equipment &#124; playground, relocate, officials - News - Quay County Sun |access-date=2011-01-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715133858/http://www.qcsunonline.com/articles/playground-8525-relocate-officials.html |archive-date=2011-07-15 }}</ref>

In 2014, a series of suspicious fires destroyed abandoned buildings, including the Tucumcari Motel, Payless Motel, and a house in the 500 block of North Fourth Street. A former Tucumcari Police Department officer and several others have been charged with arson.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://qcsunonline.com/2014/09/03/payless-motel-abandoned-house-destroyed-by-fire/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021200341/http://qcsunonline.com/2014/09/03/payless-motel-abandoned-house-destroyed-by-fire/ |archive-date=2014-10-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.qcsunonline.com/2014/10/10/former-tucumcari-police-officer-target-of-state-police-investigation/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015044318/http://www.qcsunonline.com/2014/10/10/former-tucumcari-police-officer-target-of-state-police-investigation/ |archive-date=2014-10-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.qcsunonline.com/2014/09/09/fires-destroy-2-abandoned-tucumcari-motels/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014160905/http://www.qcsunonline.com/2014/09/09/fires-destroy-2-abandoned-tucumcari-motels/ |archive-date=2014-10-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The town formerly hosted an [[air show]] each year. The show held on October 4, 2006, was canceled after one hour when a single-engine plane crashed, resulting in the pilot's death.<ref>[http://www.kvii.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=18603 Fatal accident at air show : News : KVII<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928040317/http://www.kvii.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=18603 |date=2007-09-28 }}</ref>


===Tucumcari Tonite, Route 66, and tourism===
===Tucumcari Tonite, Route 66, and tourism===
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Most of Tucumcari's oldest buildings lie along or near Main Street in the Historic Downtown area. These include:
Most of Tucumcari's oldest buildings lie along or near Main Street in the Historic Downtown area. These include:
* Rock Island-Southern Pacific Train Station (built 1926, restored 2011)
* [[Tucumcari station|Rock Island-Southern Pacific Train Station]] (built 1926, restored 2011)
* Odeon Theatre (built 1937, still operating)
* Odeon Theatre (built 1937, still operating)
* Crescent Creamery (vacant)
* Crescent Creamery (vacant)
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==Education==
==Education==
It is a part of the [[Tucumcari Public Schools]] school district.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35037_quay/DC20SD_C35037.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Quay County, NM|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2022-07-12}}</ref> Schools in Tucumcari include:
Schools in Tucumcari include:
* Tucumcari Early Head Start and [[Head Start (education)|Head Start]] (non-public daycare and preschool)
* Tucumcari Early Head Start and [[Head Start (education)|Head Start]] (non-public daycare and preschool)
* Tucumcari Elementary School (public Pre-K through fifth grade)
* Tucumcari Elementary School (public Pre-K through fifth grade)
* Tucumcari Middle School (public sixth grade through eighth grade)
* Tucumcari Middle School (public sixth grade through eighth grade)
* Tucumcari High School (public ninth grade through twelfth grade)
* Tucumcari High School (public ninth grade through twelfth grade)

Tertiary schools:
* [[Mesalands Community College]] (community two-year institution of higher learning)
* [[Mesalands Community College]] (community two-year institution of higher learning)


==Notable people==
==Notable people==
*[[Paul Brinegar]] American character actor was born in Tucumcari.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2nVQAAAAIBAJ&pg=2128%2C5738668 | title=Small Towns Have Produced Many Big Stars | work=The Milwaukee Sentinel | date=Nov 27, 1969 | access-date=22 May 2015 | author=Wilson, Earl | pages=A33 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*In 1896, [[Tom Ketchum|Tom "Black Jack" Ketchum]] and his associates robbed a post office and store in Liberty, NM, a community that dissolved after the railroad bypassed it. Many of Liberty's residents moved to the nearby railroad siding that eventually became Tucumcari. Some of the local residents believe that there is a cave in a mesa south of Tucumcari that may hold some loot from the robbery of Liberty, New Mexico.<ref>[[Black Jack Ketchum]]</ref>
*[[Stan David]] Tucumcari High School graduate was a star safety for the [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Texas Tech Red Raiders]] and played 16 NFL games for the [[Buffalo Bills]] in 1984.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/features/si50/states/new_mexico/greatest | work=CNN | title=SI.com - SI 50th - New Mexico - The 50 Greatest New Mexico Sports Figures - Wednesday July 09, 2003 04:11 PM}}</ref>
*Musician [[Bob Scobey]] was born in Tucumcari in 1916.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/artist/artist.cgi?ARTISTID=600911|title=Yahoo!|website=www.mmguide.musicmatch.com|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref>
*[[Tom Ketchum|Tom "Black Jack" Ketchum]] and his associates robbed a post office and store in Liberty, NM, in 1896.
*American character actor [[Paul Brinegar]] was born in Tucumcari.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2nVQAAAAIBAJ&pg=2128%2C5738668 | title=Small Towns Have Produced Many Big Stars | work=The Milwaukee Sentinel | date=Nov 27, 1969 | access-date=22 May 2015 | author=Wilson, Earl | pages=A33 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*[[Rex Maddaford]], Tucumcari Public Schools faculty member who competed for the [[New Zealand]] team in the [[1968 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qcsunonline.com/engine.pl?station=quay&template=storyfull.html&id=1340 |title=Quay County Sun |access-date=2006-09-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419175344/http://www.qcsunonline.com/engine.pl?station=quay&template=storyfull.html&id=1340 |archive-date=2012-04-19 }}</ref>
*Tucumcari High School graduate [[Stan David]] was a star safety for the [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Texas Tech Red Raiders]] and played 16 NFL games for the [[Buffalo Bills]] in 1984. He was listed as number 48 in the ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' list of "The 50 Greatest New Mexico Sports Figures".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/features/si50/states/new_mexico/greatest | work=CNN | title=SI.com - SI 50th - New Mexico - The 50 Greatest New Mexico Sports Figures - Wednesday July 09, 2003 04:11 PM}}</ref>
*Musician [[Bob Scobey]] was born in Tucumcari in 1916.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/artist/artist.cgi?ARTISTID=600911|title=Yahoo!|website=www.mmguide.musicmatch.com|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref>
*[[Rex Maddaford]], who competed for the [[New Zealand]] team in the [[1968 Summer Olympics]], has been a long-time Tucumcari Public Schools faculty member.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qcsunonline.com/engine.pl?station=quay&template=storyfull.html&id=1340 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2006-09-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419175344/http://www.qcsunonline.com/engine.pl?station=quay&template=storyfull.html&id=1340 |archive-date=2012-04-19 }}</ref>


== In popular culture ==
== In popular culture ==
{{see also|List of songs about cities#Tucumcari, New Mexico}}
{{see also|List of songs about cities#Tucumcari, New Mexico}}

* Many of the scenes in the television show ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' (1959–1966) starring [[Clint Eastwood]] were shot in the Tucumcari area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jcgi.pathfinder.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,869242,00.html|title=Domain Inquiry|website=jcgi.pathfinder.com|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> Paul Brinegar, who played Wishbone, was from Tucumcari.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}
* Many of the scenes in the television show ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' (1959–1966) starring [[Clint Eastwood]] were shot in the Tucumcari area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jcgi.pathfinder.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,869242,00.html |title=Domain Inquiry |publisher=jcgi.pathfinder.com|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> [[Paul Brinegar]], who played Wishbone, was from Tucumcari.
* Tucumcari is the setting of one of the first scenes in [[Sergio Leone]]'s 1965 film ''[[For a Few Dollars More]]'', starring Clint Eastwood, [[Lee Van Cleef]], and [[Gian Maria Volonté]]. This is a [[Anachronism#Prochronism|prochronism]], as Tucumcari was founded many years after the historical period in which ''For a Few Dollars More'' takes place.
* In the movie, ''[[For A Few Dollars More]]'' by Sergio Leone featuring Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef, the town of Tucumcari, is mentioned repeatedly. Filming actually occurred in [[Tabernas]], [[Almería]], Spain.
* A scene in the 1971 movie ''[[Two-Lane Blacktop]]'', starring [[James Taylor]], [[Dennis Wilson]], and [[Warren Oates]], was filmed at a gasoline service station on U.S. Highway 54 just northeast of Tucumcari. Tucumcari Mountain is clearly visible at the beginning of this scene.
* In the David Stone Series featuring Micah Dalton, the lead character was raised in Tucumcari.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=mp9CEiBSL1MC&dq=%22Micah+Dalton%22+tucumcari&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=REJaCZwiKU&sig=KsZCBrMTXIPf1al9yxVGcWJeR-8&hl=en&ei=6YQiS8o9i-LsA6DfkcEG&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CA4Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=tucumcari&f=false Google Books: ''The Echelon Vendetta'']</ref>
* In the novel series by David Stone featuring Micah Dalton, the lead character was raised in Tucumcari.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=mp9CEiBSL1MC&q=tucumcari Google Books: ''The Echelon Vendetta'']</ref>
* Scenes for the film, ''[[Hell or High Water (2016 film)|Hell or High Water]]'', were filmed in Tucumcari on June 1, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qcsunonline.com/2015/06/02/hollywood-comes-to-tucumcari/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-05-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510144017/http://www.qcsunonline.com/2015/06/02/hollywood-comes-to-tucumcari/ |archive-date=2016-05-10 }}</ref>
* Scenes for the film ''[[Hell or High Water (2016 film)|Hell or High Water]]'' were filmed in Tucumcari on June 1, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qcsunonline.com/2015/06/02/hollywood-comes-to-tucumcari/ |title=Hollywood comes to Tucumcari |access-date=2016-05-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510144017/http://www.qcsunonline.com/2015/06/02/hollywood-comes-to-tucumcari/ |archive-date=2016-05-10 }}</ref>
* Tucumcari was featured in the TV series [[Better Call Saul]]
* A segment of the 2018 movie ''[[The Ballad of Buster Scruggs]]'' centers around an unsuccessful attempt to rob a bank in Tucumcari.
*A plot strand in [[Better Call Saul (season 5)|series 5]] of [[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]]’s ''[[Better Call Saul]]'', the prequel to ''[[Breaking Bad]]'', revolves around legal battles to oust a resident from his house near Tucumcari so that Mesa Verde, [[Kim Wexler|Kim]]’s client, can build a call center there.
* The ''[[USS Tucumcari (PGH-2)]]'' hydrofoil was built by [[Boeing]] and began service in 1968. It was decommissioned in 1972 after running aground in Puerto Rico.
* In Barry Levinson's ''[[Rain Man]]'', [[Tom Cruise]] says he's in Tucumcari while on a payphone.
* Tucumcari is referenced in the song [[Willin' (Little Feat song)|Willin']] by the [[Country rock|Country Rock]] band [[Little Feat]].


==See also==
==See also==
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[[Category:County seats in New Mexico]]
[[Category:County seats in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Cities in Quay County, New Mexico]]
[[Category:Cities in Quay County, New Mexico]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1901]]

Revision as of 02:53, 10 July 2024

Tucumcari, New Mexico
Quay County Courthouse in 2008
Quay County Courthouse in 2008
Official seal of Tucumcari, New Mexico
Location of Tucumcari in New Mexico
Location of Tucumcari in New Mexico
Tucumcari, New Mexico is located in the United States
Tucumcari, New Mexico
Tucumcari, New Mexico
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 35°10′12″N 103°43′32″W / 35.17000°N 103.72556°W / 35.17000; -103.72556
LandVereinigte Staaten
StateNew Mexico
CountyQuay
Gegründet1901
Regierung
 • MayorRuth Ann Litchfield
Area
 • Total9.51 sq mi (24.63 km2)
 • Land9.51 sq mi (24.62 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation4,032 ft (1,229 m)
Population
 • Total5,278
 • Density555.17/sq mi (214.34/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
ZIP code
88401
Area code575
FIPS code35-79910
GNIS feature ID2412105[2]
WebsiteCity Website

Tucumcari (/ˈtkəmˌkær/; TOO-cum-carry) is a city in and the county seat of Quay County, New Mexico, United States.[4] The population was 5,278 at the 2020 census.[5] Tucumcari was founded in 1901, two years before Quay County was established.[6]

History

Tucumcari in 1929

In 1901, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad built a construction camp in the western portion of modern-day Quay County. Originally called Ragtown, the camp became known as "Six Shooter Siding", due to numerous gunfights. Its first formal name, Douglas, was used only for a short time.[7] After it grew into a permanent settlement, it was renamed Tucumcari in 1908. The name was taken from Tucumcari Mountain, which is situated near the community.[8] The origin of the mountain's name is uncertain; it may have been derived from the Comanche word tʉkamʉkarʉ, which means 'ambush'.[9] A 1777 burial record mentions a Comanche woman and her child captured in a battle at Cuchuncari, which is believed to be an early version of the name Tucumcari.[7][10]

In December 1951, a water storage tank collapsed in the city. Four were killed and numerous buildings were destroyed.[11]

In 2014, a series of suspicious fires destroyed abandoned buildings, including the Tucumcari Motel, Payless Motel, and a house in the 500 block of North Fourth Street. A former Tucumcari Police Department officer and several others have been charged with arson.[12][13][14]

The town formerly hosted an air show each year. The show held on October 4, 2006, was canceled after one hour when a single-engine plane crashed, resulting in the pilot's death.[15]

Former railroad transit point

Tucumcari until the mid-twentieth century was a junction for transcontinental train service. The Rock Island Railroad ran pool train operations with the Southern Pacific, with transfers at the station (for the Tucumcari-Los Angeles leg of the trip). The Choctaw Rocket (Memphis-Little Rock-Tucumcari-El Paso-Los Angeles) made the switch there (for the coach cars). The Golden State (Chicago-Kansas City-Topeka-Tucumcari-El Paso-Los Angeles) ran continuously through the town.[citation needed]

Cattle ranches

  • Bell Ranch - created from a land grant in 1824 and now one of the very largest ranches in the United States
  • T4 Cattle Company - founded in 1902 and continues to be a family run enterprise, one of the country's largest ranches

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.6 sq mi (19.6 km2), of which 7.5 sq mi (19.5 km2) is land and 0.13% is water.

Climate

Tucumcari has a cool semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk), characterized by cool winters and hot summers. Rainfall is relatively low except during the summer months, when thunderstorms associated with the North American monsoon can bring locally heavy downpours. Snowfall is generally light, with an average of 14.9 inches (0.38 m). Due to the frequency of low humidity, wide daily temperature variations are normal.

The record high temperature at Tucumcari was 111 °F (44 °C) on June 11, 2022, and the record low temperature −22 °F (−30 °C) on January 13, 1963. The hottest monthly mean maximum has been 100.5 °F (38.1 °C) in July 2011 and the coldest mean minimum 12.4 °F (−10.9 °C) in January 1963, although the coldest month by mean maximum was January 1949, with a mean high of 38.6 °F or 3.7 °C.[16]

The wettest calendar year has been 1941, with 34.94 inches (887.5 mm) and the driest, 1934, with 6.13 inches (155.7 mm). The most rainfall in one month was 11.19 inches (284.2 mm) in July 1950. The most rainfall in 24 hours was 4.41 inches (112.0 mm) on June 21, 1971. The most snowfall in one year was 51.2 inches (1.30 m), from July 1911 to June 1912. The most snowfall in one month was 30.0 inches (0.76 m), in February 1912.[16]

Climate data for Tucumcari, New Mexico, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1904–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 80
(27)
87
(31)
92
(33)
97
(36)
103
(39)
111
(44)
110
(43)
108
(42)
105
(41)
97
(36)
90
(32)
82
(28)
111
(44)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 72.1
(22.3)
76.9
(24.9)
84.4
(29.1)
89.3
(31.8)
95.8
(35.4)
103.5
(39.7)
103.8
(39.9)
101.4
(38.6)
98.0
(36.7)
90.8
(32.7)
81.1
(27.3)
73.2
(22.9)
105.7
(40.9)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 53.4
(11.9)
57.9
(14.4)
65.7
(18.7)
73.3
(22.9)
82.0
(27.8)
92.0
(33.3)
94.5
(34.7)
92.3
(33.5)
85.5
(29.7)
74.6
(23.7)
62.6
(17.0)
53.4
(11.9)
73.9
(23.3)
Daily mean °F (°C) 39.0
(3.9)
43.0
(6.1)
50.2
(10.1)
57.7
(14.3)
66.9
(19.4)
76.7
(24.8)
80.1
(26.7)
78.1
(25.6)
71.2
(21.8)
59.4
(15.2)
48.1
(8.9)
39.5
(4.2)
59.2
(15.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 24.7
(−4.1)
28.1
(−2.2)
34.8
(1.6)
42.2
(5.7)
51.8
(11.0)
61.4
(16.3)
65.7
(18.7)
63.9
(17.7)
56.8
(13.8)
44.3
(6.8)
33.6
(0.9)
25.6
(−3.6)
44.4
(6.9)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 9.2
(−12.7)
12.0
(−11.1)
18.2
(−7.7)
27.6
(−2.4)
37.0
(2.8)
50.4
(10.2)
58.5
(14.7)
56.8
(13.8)
43.5
(6.4)
28.1
(−2.2)
17.3
(−8.2)
8.7
(−12.9)
4.2
(−15.4)
Record low °F (°C) −22
(−30)
−16
(−27)
−3
(−19)
14
(−10)
25
(−4)
37
(3)
52
(11)
49
(9)
30
(−1)
12
(−11)
−2
(−19)
−12
(−24)
−22
(−30)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.42
(11)
0.38
(9.7)
0.93
(24)
1.03
(26)
1.76
(45)
1.80
(46)
2.84
(72)
2.60
(66)
1.63
(41)
1.41
(36)
0.57
(14)
0.70
(18)
16.07
(408.7)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 3.8
(9.7)
2.1
(5.3)
1.5
(3.8)
0.4
(1.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.8
(2.0)
2.2
(5.6)
4.1
(10)
14.9
(37.4)
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) 3.7
(9.4)
1.9
(4.8)
1.8
(4.6)
0.8
(2.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.4
(1.0)
1.9
(4.8)
3.6
(9.1)
5.8
(15)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 2.7 3.0 3.9 4.7 5.9 6.4 8.9 9.4 5.6 5.8 3.3 3.9 63.5
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 1.6 1.4 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.2 2.2 8.0
Source 1: NOAA[17]
Source 2: National Weather Service[16]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19102,526
19203,11723.4%
19304,14332.9%
19406,19449.5%
19508,41935.9%
19608,143−3.3%
19707,189−11.7%
19806,765−5.9%
19906,8311.0%
20005,989−12.3%
20105,363−10.5%
20205,278−1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[18] [5][3]
Tucumcari Mountain, 2007
Attebury Grain Elevator, 2011

As of the census[19] of 2000, there were 5,989 people, 2,489 households, and 1,607 families residing in the city. The population density was 793.8 inhabitants per square mile (306.5/km2). There were 3,065 housing units at an average density of 406.2 per square mile (156.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 75.87% White, 1.29% African American, 1.39% Native American, 1.20% Asian, 0.22% Pacific Islander, 17.10% from other races, and 2.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 51.41% of the population.

There were 2,489 households, out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,560, and the median income for a family was $27,468. Males had a median income of $25,342 versus $18,568 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,786. About 19.1% of families and 24.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.5% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

The buildings formerly at Metropolitan Park (locally known as "Five Mile Park" because it is located about five miles (8 km) outside of town) were designed by Trent Thomas, adapted from his design of La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe. The park once featured New Mexico's largest outdoor swimming pool. Owing to deterioration, Metropolitan Park was named to the New Mexico Heritage Preservation Alliance's list of Most Endangered for 2003.[20] In 2010, the park's main building caught fire and burnt to the ground. The city of Tucumcari razed the site weeks after the fire.[21]

Tucumcari Tonite, Route 66, and tourism

Blue Swallow Motel, 2012
Route 66 in Tucumcari, 2020

For many years, Tucumcari has been a popular stop for cross-country travelers on Interstate 40 (formerly U.S. Route 66 in the area). It is the largest city on the highway between Amarillo, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Billboards reading "TUCUMCARI TONITE!" placed along I-40 for many miles to the east and west of the town invite motorists to stay the night in one of Tucumcari's "2000" (later changed to "1200") motel rooms. The "TUCUMCARI TONITE!" campaign was abandoned in favor of a campaign which declared Tucumcari, "Gateway to the West". However, on June 24, 2008, Tucumcari's Lodgers Tax Advisory Board, the group responsible for the billboards, voted to return to the previous slogan.[22]

Old U.S. Route 66 runs through the heart of Tucumcari via Route 66 Boulevard, which was previously known as Tucumcari Boulevard from 1970 to 2003 and as Gaynell Avenue before that time. Numerous businesses, including gasoline service stations, restaurants, and motels, were constructed to accommodate tourists as they traveled through on the Mother Road. A large number of the vintage motels and restaurants built in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s are still in business despite intense competition from newer chain motels and restaurants in the vicinity of Interstate 40, which passes through the city's outskirts on the south.

Tucumcari is the home of over 50 murals. Most were painted by artists Doug and Sharon Quarles and serve as a tourist attraction.[23]

Downtown

Train station, 2008
The Federal Building (Sands-Dorsey Drug) burned on June 8, 2007.

Most of Tucumcari's oldest buildings lie along or near Main Street in the Historic Downtown area. These include:

  • Rock Island-Southern Pacific Train Station (built 1926, restored 2011)
  • Odeon Theatre (built 1937, still operating)
  • Crescent Creamery (vacant)
  • Masonic Temple (still operating)
  • Princess Theater (under renovation)

Also located in the downtown area are the concrete arches that once surrounded the Hotel Vorenburg, which was demolished in the 1970s after being damaged by fire. The Federal Building, commonly known as Sands-Dorsey Drug, was damaged by two fires before finally being demolished in 2015. The location is now a park.[24][25]

Bildung

It is a part of the Tucumcari Public Schools school district.[26] Schools in Tucumcari include:

  • Tucumcari Early Head Start and Head Start (non-public daycare and preschool)
  • Tucumcari Elementary School (public Pre-K through fifth grade)
  • Tucumcari Middle School (public sixth grade through eighth grade)
  • Tucumcari High School (public ninth grade through twelfth grade)

Tertiary schools:

Notable people

  • Many of the scenes in the television show Rawhide (1959–1966) starring Clint Eastwood were shot in the Tucumcari area.[31] Paul Brinegar, who played Wishbone, was from Tucumcari.
  • In the movie, For A Few Dollars More by Sergio Leone featuring Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef, the town of Tucumcari, is mentioned repeatedly. Filming actually occurred in Tabernas, Almería, Spain.
  • In the novel series by David Stone featuring Micah Dalton, the lead character was raised in Tucumcari.[32]
  • Scenes for the film Hell or High Water were filmed in Tucumcari on June 1, 2015.[33]
  • Tucumcari was featured in the TV series Better Call Saul

See also

References

  1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Tucumcari, New Mexico
  3. ^ a b "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ a b "QuickFacts Tucumcari city, New Mexico". Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  6. ^ . www.usbr.gov http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/html/tucumcari.html. Retrieved April 3, 2018. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ^ a b "Tucumcari". New Mexico Office of the State Historian. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
  8. ^ "Photo Guide:T". Southwest Collection Library. Retrieved September 18, 2008.
  9. ^ Lila Wistrand-Robinson & James Armagost. Comanche Dictionary and Grammar, 2nd edition (2012, Summer Institute of Linguistics).
  10. ^ "Cuchuncari", however, is from Old Comanche kuhtsunkarɨ 'buffalo sitting'.
  11. ^ Barnhart, Charles E.; May, Marvin C.; Wager-Smith, D. R. W.; Bailey, Arthur P.; Hill, H. O.; Greenberg, S. A. (1952). "The Tucumcari Tank Failure: New Mexico Society of Professional Engineers [with Discussion]". Journal (American Water Works Association). 44 (5): 435–441. doi:10.1002/j.1551-8833.1952.tb15382.x. ISSN 0003-150X. JSTOR 41236514.
  12. ^ "Payless Inn, abandoned house destroyed by fire". Archived from the original on October 21, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  13. ^ "Former Tucumcari police officer target of state police investigation". Archived from the original on October 15, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  14. ^ "Fires destroy 2 abandoned Tucumcari motels". Archived from the original on October 14, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  15. ^ Fatal accident at air show : News : KVII Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ a b c "NOAA Online Weather Data - NWS Albuquerque". National Weather Service. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  17. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access - Station: Tucumcati 4NE, NM". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  18. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  19. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. ^ NMHeritage.org: Resources: NM Preservation Resources Archived 2007-02-12 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ "Officials to relocate playground equipment | playground, relocate, officials - News - Quay County Sun". Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
  22. ^ "'Tucumcari Tonite' Returns to Billboards". Albuquerque Journal. June 25, 2008.
  23. ^ "New Mexico couple's murals helping bring tourists to their town". KRQE. February 6, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  24. ^ "Sands-Dorsey building collapses under fire". Quay County Sun. May 8, 2012. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2012.
  25. ^ "City acquires the Sands Dorsey building for demolition". Quay County Sun. July 28, 2015. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  26. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Quay County, NM" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  27. ^ Wilson, Earl (November 27, 1969). "Small Towns Have Produced Many Big Stars". The Milwaukee Sentinel. pp. A33. Retrieved May 22, 2015.[permanent dead link]
  28. ^ "SI.com - SI 50th - New Mexico - The 50 Greatest New Mexico Sports Figures - Wednesday July 09, 2003 04:11 PM". CNN.
  29. ^ "Quay County Sun". Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2006.
  30. ^ "Yahoo!". www.mmguide.musicmatch.com. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  31. ^ "Domain Inquiry". jcgi.pathfinder.com. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  32. ^ Google Books: The Echelon Vendetta
  33. ^ "Hollywood comes to Tucumcari". Archived from the original on May 10, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2016.