Q&A

Why is Belen called The Hub City of New Mexico?

Why is Belen called The Hub City of New Mexico?

Belen is Spanish for Bethlehem but gained the nickname “The Hub City”. The city is geographically near the center of New Mexico and has been a significant transportation hub for central New Mexico that includes access to rail, the interstate highway and air at Valencia County’s only public airport.

What was the population of Belen New Mexico?

By the 1790s, Belen had established a city center known as Plaza Vieja, or Old Town, and had grown from a paraje, or precinct, to a partido, or district, with a population of 1,695. By 1793, a Catholic church and parish was founded. By the middle of the 19th century, Belen had outgrown Old Town and was expanding into what became known as New Town.

When did Belen lose the county seat to Tome?

Valencia reclaimed the county seat in 1849, only to lose it to Tome in 1852. Belen captured the county seat from Tome 20 years later, but lost it to Tome two short years later in 1874. Finally, in 1875, Los Lunas claimed the county seat and remains the county seat to this day.

When was the Catholic Church in Belen New Mexico founded?

By 1793, a Catholic church and parish was founded. By the middle of the 19th century, Belen had outgrown Old Town and was expanding into what became known as New Town.

Valencia reclaimed the county seat in 1849, only to lose it to Tome in 1852. Belen captured the county seat from Tome 20 years later, but lost it to Tome two short years later in 1874. Finally, in 1875, Los Lunas claimed the county seat and remains the county seat to this day.

Belen is Spanish for Bethlehem but gained the nickname “The Hub City”. The city is geographically near the center of New Mexico and has been a significant transportation hub for central New Mexico that includes access to rail, the interstate highway and air at Valencia County’s only public airport.

By the 1790s, Belen had established a city center known as Plaza Vieja, or Old Town, and had grown from a paraje, or precinct, to a partido, or district, with a population of 1,695. By 1793, a Catholic church and parish was founded. By the middle of the 19th century, Belen had outgrown Old Town and was expanding into what became known as New Town.

By 1793, a Catholic church and parish was founded. By the middle of the 19th century, Belen had outgrown Old Town and was expanding into what became known as New Town.