Magdalena in Socorro County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Riley

Photographed by Maribeth Robison, March 13, 2016

1. Riley Marker

Inscription. Twenty miles north of Magdalena, Riley was a small agricultural village originally named Santa Rita by its Hispanic founders in the mid-nineteenth century. By the late 1880's mining drove the town's economy and in 1890 it was granted a post office under the name "Riley." The mines gave out, and the town was slowly abandoned. Former residents still gather every May to observe Santa Rita days.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 34° 7.082′ N, 107° 14.631′ W. Marker is in Magdalena, New Mexico, in Socorro County. It is on North Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 A N Main St, Magdalena NM 87825, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest New Mexico and in the Rio Grande Valley.

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 itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kelly (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Kelly (approx. 0.2 miles away); Magdalena (approx. 0.6 miles away); Magdalena Fault (approx. 0.7 miles away); Magdalena Livestock Driveway (approx. 9.3 miles away); a different marker also named Magdalena Fault (approx. 9½ miles away).

Another marker is

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no longer nearby. Magdalena (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2018, by Maribeth Robison of Moriarty, New Mexico. This page has been viewed 877 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photo 1. submitted on October 12, 2018, by Maribeth Robison of Moriarty, New Mexico. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.