San Miguel County

San Miguel County was established January 9, 1852. It is the gateway to the southern Rockies, where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains.

The county got its name from the town of San Miguel de Bado, which was a crossing at the Pecos River on the Old Spanish Trail. The county population is approximately 27,760 covering a total area of 4,736 square miles.

The county seat is Las Vegas, which was the largest city in New Mexico at the turn of the 20^th century and was established long before its Nevada counterpart. Las Vegas was also New Mexico’s first territorial capital for one day. Over 900 historic districts are on the National Registry in Las Vegas. Twenty-one Rough Riders were provided to Teddy Roosevelt in 1898. San Miguel County is one of the most beautiful counties in New Mexico ranging from mountains to meadows. It has two colleges and boasts tourism and retirement as a major contributor to the economic value.