The “Hub City” and largest of this group. It sits at the intersection of Interstate 40 (which replaced Route 66), U.S. 84, and U.S. 54.
Known for its high concentration of natural spring-fed lakes and reservoirs, including the famous Blue Hole, a deep, clear, bell-shaped sinkhole popular for scuba diving.
It serves as the county seat of Guadalupe County.
Vaughn, NM
A small town historically known as a major railroad junction for the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe lines.
It is a former stop on Route 66 and is located in the southwestern part of Guadalupe County, near the intersection of U.S. Routes 54 and 60.
East Vaughn, NM
A small community located directly east of Vaughn. It is also historically tied to the railroad and Route 66.
Anton Chico, NM and Upper Anton Chico, NM
Anton Chico is a historic, unincorporated community located along the Pecos River, established as a land grant settlement in the early 1800s.
It is known for its traditional New Mexican architecture and has a very small, sustained population. Upper Anton Chico is simply the area immediately upriver or slightly north of Anton Chico.
Dilia, NM
An unincorporated community located on the Pecos River, near Anton Chico. It is another small, historic village in Guadalupe County.
La Loma, NM
A small, unincorporated community in Guadalupe County, also close to the Pecos River and near Santa Rosa.
Cuervo, NM
A classic, largely abandoned Route 66 ghost town located east of Santa Rosa.
While mostly deserted, it retains numerous derelict buildings, including a historic motel, gas station, and church, making it a popular stop for Route 66 historians and photographers.
Newkirk, NM
Similar to Cuervo, it is an unincorporated community and near-ghost town located on old Route 66, east of Cuervo. It also features abandoned buildings from its heyday as a route stop.
Pastura, NM
A historic, unincorporated community in Guadalupe County. Its name means “pasture” in Spanish, reflecting its ranching history. It is a very small settlement.
Pintada, NM
A small, unincorporated community located northeast of Vaughn, known primarily for its minimal population and rural, remote setting.
Puerta de Luna, NM and Puerta D Luna, NM
Puerta de Luna (meaning “Door of the Moon”) is a historic unincorporated community on the Pecos River, south of Santa Rosa.
It was the original county seat of Guadalupe County before it was moved to Santa Rosa. It’s known for its historic church, Nuestra Señora de Refugio, and ruins of its former prosperity. “Puerta D Luna” is a common alternate or shortened spelling.
Bell Ranch, NM
This is not a traditional town but refers to the famous historic Bell Ranch, one of the largest and oldest cattle ranches in the United States, established in 1824.
The ranch spans a large area in San Miguel County, northeast of this group of cities. A small ranch post or address may use “Bell Ranch, NM.”