- Not all of these fun facts are in fact, fun.
Do you know these New Mexico fun facts? Like the Gila National Forest in the state is the largest in the country.
- While New Mexico ranks first in alcohol related automobile crashes, it ranks 25th in crash fatalities.
- The Great Gold Rush may not have happened, had it not been for Jose Ortiz striking gold in Delores, N.M., an event that was a key factor in spreading American populations out west.
- Before achieving his fame at Tombstone, Doc Holliday ran
a dentist office in Las Vegas, N.M. - It’s nicknamed the “Land of Enchantment.”
- New Mexico really is part of the Wild West, with outlaws like the murderer Billy the Kid once calling it home.
- Due to its explicit nature, roughly 400 words were ordered to be removed from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” by New Mexico Officials. Did you know this as one of the most interesting New Mexico fun facts?
- In 1607, roughly 13 years before the pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, Santa Fe was founded, making it the second oldest town in current day America. It was originally founded as La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asis, but its name was changed in 1610.
- New Mexico is home to one of the closest presidential votes in recent history, when during the Bush v. Gore 2000 election it came down to 366 votes, even less than Florida despite popular belief.
- The World Shovel Race Championship is held every year in Angel Fire, N.M.
- Dancing while wearing your sombrero is illegal in New
Mexico. Did you know this as one of the New Mexico fun facts? - Though you rarely hear about it, one of the only attacks on American soil within the last 100 years occurred when Pancho Villa of Mexico crossed the border and attacked Columbus, N.M. in 1916.
- At over 8,000 feet, the Capulin Volcano is so tall that five states can be seen from the top: New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
- Claims have been made that the pillow of goodness, the Sopapilla was first devoured in the Albuquerque area 200 years ago.
- Averaging roughly 12 people per square mile, New Mexicans are greatly outnumbered by the livestock in their state.
- Bandera Ice Cave is believed to be over 3,000 years old, dating back to 1100 B.C. Is this one of the best of the New Mexico fun facts?
- Carrizozo has a vendetta against body hair, as it’s illegal for any woman to appear unshaven in public.
- Smokey Bear was invented in New Mexico after the Capitan Gap fire of 1950, which burned 17,000 acres of land.
- The self-guided bullet, capable of hitting laser-designated targets more than a mile away, is a product of New Mexico’s Sandia Labs.
- Colfax County’s NRA Whittington Center is the most comprehensive shooting range in the country.
- The lowest temperature ever recorded in New Mexico was -50 degrees, while the highest was 122, making it one of the largest ranges in any state. These are such crazy New Mexico fun facts!
- One of the reasons the Yucca is New Mexico’s state flower
is due to its high level of utility, functioning as a material for baskets, ropes, and footwear. - Next time you stay at a Hilton, remember that Conrad Hilton, the founder of the hotel chain, was born in San Antonio, N.M.
- A third of New Mexicans speak Spanish while at home.
- Modern day New Mexico wine can be traced back to the early 1600s, making it the oldest known wine production in North America.
- The Santa Fe staple, Tia Sophia’s, claims to be the first to invent a breakfast burrito, dating their menu item back to 1975.
What do you think of these New Mexico fun facts? Let me know which ones were your favorites in the comments!