Gallup - History and Harmonious Blend of Culture
Located on Historic Route 66 (Interstate 40), Gallup's traces its roots back to the railroads and trading post entrepreneurs of the late 1800's. In 1880, a paymaster for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, David L. Gallup, established headquarters along the construction right-of-way of the southern transcontinental route. The railroad workers soon began "going to Gallup" to get their pay and when the tracks were finally laid through the area in 1881, the new settlement was formally named after the paymaster.
For its first half century, coal mining was the backbone of Gallup's economy. So much so, in fact, that for a time was called "Carbon City." Europeans, Asians, and Mexicans came to build the railroad, and many stayed on to mine coal. These pioneers were not the first to come here, however, as the Navajos, who were themselves migrants to the area, and the Acoma, Hopi, and Zuni Pueblo Indians had been here since ancient times. Descendants of all these people contribute to the unique ethnic mix of the area. In fact, artifacts from this area are sought after by museums from around the world.
In its early days, Gallup was a typical rough-and-ready frontier settlement, with its share of saloons, false store fronts, wooden sidewalks and a single road paralleling the railroad tracks (the same road we know as the old Route 66). When occasional confrontations occurred between the townspeople, and the Indians, soldiers from nearby Fort Wingate, established in 1860, were there to lend a hand to help protect the town.
Today, Gallup is the largest Indian center in the Southwest and is known as the ceremonial capital of Native America. Many come each year to our city to see some of the most unique and interesting wonders of the American Southwest. Gallup's Trading Post experience is truly unique. It is the center of "AMERICA'S LARGEST COTTAGE INDUSTRY" -- Indian Arts and Crafts. There are 110 trading posts, shops and galleries in Gallup, making the town the undisputed Southwestern center for original Native American art. The best way to experience it is to park your car on Old Route 66 and take a stroll. As you stroll, be sure and take in the Rex Museum, formerly the Rex Hotel. Downtown is an experience worth having!
While a modern trade and tourism center, Gallup still retains its spirit of a frontier community, with a unique cultural diversity found nowhere else. Every year, we have our own Gallup Film Festival, which is held at the historic El Morro Theater, a wonderful example of the Spanish colonial revival style. New to our area is the Gallup Cultural Center, with it's Ceremonial Gallery, Storyteller Museum and the Kiva Cinema. Free to the public, it's a must see.
Sources:
City of Gallup
Desert USA
