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Solano
Solano can be found in northeastern New Mexico on NM Hwy 39, 10 miles south of Roy and 9 miles north of Mosquero. The town's elevation is 5,628 feet, or 1,715 meters, between the towns of Mosquero and Roy on the Southern Pacific Railroad. Its post office was established in 1907.
The town was named for a local mail carrier, Cipriano Solano. In 1907, F.M. Hughes built a house and store at the present site of Solano. The economy was based on the railroad which went from Dawson near Raton, NM to Tucumcari, NM. The station was named "Solana". Solano had over 500 residents at one time and was the largest town in Harding County for a while. There were 4 stores, 4 saloons, several restraunts, 1 dry goods store and Millinery store, 2 blacksmith shops, 2 lumber yards, 2 hotels, a train depot, and 1 newspaper - the Solano Herald.
In 1950, the Dawson mines closed and so did the town. The closing of the mines in Dawson caused the railroad to stop service to Solano. Dry weather and the lack of jobs also led to the decline of the town. A dry-ice plant kept the town alive until it closed in the early 1980's. Today, there are only a few people who live in the town. The Wagon Mound Ranch Supply store inside the old gym, a church, the post office and a few houses are all that remain.
If you are planning to be in this part of the state be sure to get there for the Starlight Ballroom dances presented the last Saturday of the month June through September. This is also home to the Solano Fest an annual celebration held in September.
For information visit www.wagonmound.com.
Solano
Solano, NM 87746
