Deming
Although Juan Bautista de Anza passed near here in 1780, the modern settlement of Deming dates from 1881 when the AT&SF and SP Railroads met near here, giving New Mexico its first rail access to both coasts. The settlement origianlly was called New Chicago and was located 10 miles east of the present site, but it was moved to have better access to water. Mimbres Junction also has been mentioned as an early name. Charles Crocker, a Southern Pacific Railroad official, gave the fledging settlement his wifes\' family name.
Robert Julyan
The Place Names of New Mexico
2nd ed., University of New Mexico Press, 1998
1406
Founded in 1881, Deming was also known as New Chicago and Mimbres Junction.
Reproduction prohibited without express permission from the State Records Center and Archives.
A group of early Deming residents pose for a photograph by a traveling photographer in the 1880s. New Mexico Magazine Photo Collection, Box 156A, Folder 1A, Photo # 57241.
Courtesy of the State Records Center and Archives.