Belen in Valencia County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

"Bethlehem"

Belen, New Mexico

Photographed by James Hulse, April 10, 2025

1. "Bethlehem" Marker

Inscription. In 1740, Belen, the Spanish word for Bethlehem, was founded on the west bank of the Rio Grande by Captain Don Diego Torres and his brother-in-law, Antonio Salazar. Subsistence farming and ranching was the mainstay of the region until the arrival of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad in 1881. In 1908, the Belen Cut-Off was built to reduce rail grades through the Rocky Mountains easing rail transit from Chicago to California. Situated on the main transcontinental rail route linking the Eastern United States to the West, the Cut-Off established Belen as the Rail "hub" of New Mexico and brought commerce and prosperity to Valencia County and the region. The rail yard contained miles of track, a roundhouse, an ice plant and the depot. In 1918, after New Mexico attained statehood, Belen became a Village and in 1940, a Town. The current City of Belen was incorporated in 1966. Every year on Thanksgiving weekend, we celebrate our culture and history with an electric light parade and by illuminating the City with thousands of lights.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1740.

Location. 34° 39.652′ N, 106° 46.598′ W. Marker is in Belen, New Mexico, in Valencia County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street and Dalies Ave, on the left when traveling south on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 S Main St, Belen NM 87002, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Rio Grande Valley

and in Greater Albuquerque.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds

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itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Belen Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Harvey House (a few steps from this marker); The Belen Hotel (approx. 0.4 miles away); Camino del Llano (approx. 1.1 miles away); Belén (approx. 2.6 miles away); a different marker also named Belén (approx. 2.7 miles away); Tomé (approx. 6.1 miles away); Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad Depot (approx. 9½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belen.

"Bethlehem" Marker (left side) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 10, 2025

2. "Bethlehem" Marker (left side)

The view of the "Bethlehem" artwork image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 10, 2025

3. The view of the "Bethlehem" artwork

Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 134 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 8, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.