Rowe, New Mexico Neighborhoods in the 1950's

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La Sagrada Familia Catholic Church in Rowe, New Mexico

Yes, even a town with fewer than 300 people had neighborhoods or barrios and the neighborhoods had names, especially in New Mexico. There was no east side, south side or any other side for that matter. There was no bad part of town, there were just different neighborhoods. And besides, for the most part we were all related in one way or another. There were very few folks that weren't related.

1. El Switche - Because of a switch in the railroad tracks is my guess. The E.T. Padilla and Trader Horn stores were located there. The post office and the AT&SF Train depot were located in that neighborhood.
2. Los Colles (Coyes) - Down the road heading toward the Pecos River. Old Indian pit houses were located in the vicinity and may have had something to do with the name.
3. El Rincon - This Neighborhood was located at the base of Rowe Mesa as you drove out of town towards Las Vegas. It was sort of tucked away in the woods at the base of the mesa.
4. Abajo or Las Caleras  - This neighborhood was located across U.S. 85 and the AT&SF tracks from El Rincon. There was a place where you could get cal (calsomine) at some bluffs by the arroyo.
5. Aya Arriba - This was located between the roads going to Santa Fe and Pecos. It was called Arriba because you had to go up the road. Mostly the Atliano Ortiz family and their relatives there.
6. Rowe proper - This was the rest I guess. The neighborhoods that did not have a name fell in here. Included the areas by the church and the old schoolhouse.