About this city
Also known as: Pinto Bean Capital of the World
Mountainair is a charming, historic rural town located in Torrance County in central New Mexico, proudly positioned at the eastern entrance of the scenic Abo Pass on the Chupadera Mesa. Founded in 1902 as a major shipping hub for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, the town blossomed into the 'Pinto Bean Capital of the World' during the early 20th century due to its highly successful dryland farming boom. Today, Mountainair acts as the primary headquarters and gateway for the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, which preserves spectacular, towering ruins of 17th-century Spanish colonial Franciscan missions and ancient indigenous pueblos. It retains a peaceful, vintage western atmosphere populated by local artists, cattle ranchers, and history enthusiasts.
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Practical Tourism Metadata
Suggested stay: 1 day
Tour the massive red sandstone ruins of Quarai and Abo mission churches, drive to the remote white-stone pueblo ruins of Gran Quivira, browse local heritage art at the historic Shaffer Hotel, and hike the nearby Manzano Mountains.
