Eastern New Mexico
Stretching along New Mexico's eastern border with Texas and Oklahoma, the counties of Curry, Quay, and Union make up a region known for its wide-open plains, strong agricultural traditions, and historic ties to ranching and the railroad. From the landmark town of Tucumcari on historic Route 66 to the agricultural hub of Clovis, this area has long served as a crossroads of commerce, cattle, and culture in the High Plains of the Southwest.
Featured County
Quay County, located in eastern New Mexico along the Texas border, was officially established on February 28, 1903, and named after U.S. Senator Matthew S. Quay of Pennsylvania, who supported statehood for New Mexico. Its county seat is Tucumcari, a city that became a key stop along historic Route 66 and played an important role in the growth of the region.
Long before European or American settlers arrived, the area was home to Plains Indian tribes, including the Comanche and Apache. The region's grasslands attracted ranchers and settlers in the late 1800s as the cattle industry expanded across the plains. The arrival of the railroad in 1901, particularly the Rock Island and Southern Pacific lines, spurred rapid growth and led to the founding of Tucumcari, originally called Six Shooter Siding due to its rough-and-tumble early days.
The completion of Route 66 in the 1920s brought national attention and economic opportunity to Quay County. Tucumcari became a popular stop for travelers, with motels, diners, and neon signs that still give the city its nostalgic charm. Agriculture, particularly cattle ranching and dryland farming, remains central to the local economy.
Today, Quay County blends a rich frontier past with Route 66 heritage tourism, offering a window into both the Old West and America's mid-20th century road culture.
New Mexico Counties
