Cuervo: A Ghost of a Town

The town of Cuervo, New Mexico dates back to around 1901, when the Southern Pacific Railroad pushed through Guadalupe County. Cuervo is the Spanish word for "crow," and the town's name probably came from nearby Cuervo Hill. Around 1910, the town began to grow when the land surrounding Cuervo was opened to cattle ranching, creating a land boom. When Route 66, the "Mother Road," came through Cuervo, the new highway created additional income opportunities with gas stations and hotels.


At its peak, Cuervo boasted two schools, two churches, two hotels and two doctors, along with numerous other businesses. In the 1930's, Cuervo reportedly had a population of almost 300. By the mid 1940's, however, it had already fallen to less than 150.


When I-40 came along, parts of Cuervo were literally buried as the superhighway cut a swath through the residential section of the town. Long dependent on travelers of the Mother Road, the town immediately began to die. Today the area still supports a handful of people, who live on the south side of I-40 and on outlying ranches.



After a brief stop in this deserted town, we made a beeline for Albuquerque, arriving mid-afternoon. Mesmerized by the spectacular vistas, Kelly was afraid to blink as we made our way over and through the mountains. In all honesty, I was dazzled by the visuals as well. I never tire of close encounters with mountains.

It's good to be home.