Gallup, New Mexico

Zuni: ''Kalabwaki''
, settlement_type = City
, nickname = "Indian Capital of the World"
, motto =
, image_skyline = Gallup, New Mexico.jpg
, imagesize = 250px
, image_caption = Motels and businesses in Gallup
, image_flag = Flag of Gallup, New Mexico.svg
, image_seal =
, image_map = McKinley_County_New_Mexico_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Gallup_Highlighted.svg
, mapsize = 250px
, map_caption = Location of Gallup in New Mexico
, image_map1 =
, mapsize1 =
, map_caption1 =
, pushpin_map = USA
, pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_type1 = State
, subdivision_type2 = County
, subdivision_name = United States
, subdivision_name1 = New Mexico
, subdivision_name2 = McKinley
, government_type =
, leader_title = Mayor
, leader_name = Louis Bonaguidi
, established_title = Founded
, established_date = 1881
, area_total_sq_mi = 20.19
, area_total_km2 = 52.30
, area_land_sq_mi = 20.19
, area_land_km2 = 52.29
, area_water_sq_mi = 0.00
, area_water_km2 = 0.01
, population_as_of = 2020
, population_total = 21899
, population_metro = 71492
, population_density_km2 = 418.78
, population_density_sq_mi = 1084.65
, timezone = MST
, utc_offset = −7
, timezone_DST = MDT
, utc_offset_DST = −6
, coordinates =
, elevation_m = 1971
, elevation_ft = 6468
, postal_code_type = ZIP codes
, postal_code = 87301-87305
, area_code = 505
, blank_name = FIPS code
, blank_info = 35-28460
, blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
, blank1_info = 0902825
, footnotes =
, website
www.gallupnm.gov
, pop_est_as_of =
, pop_est_footnotes =
, population_est =
, unit_pref = Imperial
, area_footnotes =
, population_footnotes =

Gallup ( nv, ) ; Zuni: ''Kalabwaki'') is a city in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States, with a population of 21,899 as of the 2020 census. A substantial percentage of its population is Native American, with residents from the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni tribes. Gallup is the county seat of McKinley County and the most populous city between Flagstaff and Albuquerque, along the historic U.S. Route 66.

The city was founded in 1881 as a railhead for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, and named after David Gallup, a paymaster for the railroad. It is on the Trails of the Ancients Byway, one of the designated New Mexico Scenic Byways.Trail of the Ancients.
New Mexico Tourism Department. Retrieved August 14, 2014. Because of the nearby rugged terrain, it was a popular location in the 1940s and 1950s for Hollywood Westerns.

History

Gallup was founded in 1881 as a railhead for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad. The city was named after David Gallup, a paymaster for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad.
During World War II, the city fought successfully to prevent 800 Japanese American residents from being placed in wartime internment,
the only New Mexico city to do so.

Gallup is known as the "Heart of Indian Country" or "The Heart of Indians" because it is on the edge of the Navajo reservation and is home to members of many other tribes as well.

Culture

U.S. Route 66 passed through Gallup, and the town's name is mentioned in the lyrics of the song " (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" ("You'll see Amarillo and Gallup, NM"). In 2003, the U.S. and New Mexico Departments of Transportation renumbered US Highway 666, the city's other major highway, as Route 491. Former Governor Bill Richardson pushed for (and got) the number changed because "666" is associated with Satan and Devil worship, and thus it was considered "cursed" or a "Beast" to some locals. The situation was exacerbated by the high death toll on the highway, which was largely a result of high rates of drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and budget shortfalls among both the New Mexico Department of Transportation and state and local law enforcement agencies.

Gallup has a modestly lively night time culture downtown, Indian dances during summertime nights, art crawls, small museums including a Navajo Code Talk museum.
Gallup commissioned a number of murals highlighting local culture and contributions dot downtown.

Being the largest city between Flagstaff and Albuquerque, Gallup claims many notable buildings, places, events and people.
The historic El Rancho Hotel & Motel has hosted a numerous array of movie stars including John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, Humphrey Bogart, Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Joan Crawford, Kirk Douglas, Doris Day, Gregory Peck, and Burt Lancaster. The rugged terrain surrounding Gallup was popular with Hollywood filmmakers during the 1940s and 50s for the on-location shooting of Westerns. Actors and film crews would stay at that hotel during filming. Films made in Gallup include ''Billy the Kid'' (1930), ''Pursued'' (1947), ''The Sea of Grass'' (1947), ''Four Faces West'' (1948), ''Only the Valiant'' (1951), '' Ace in the Hole'' (1951), ''Escape from Fort Bravo'' (1953), ''A Distant Trumpet'' (1964), and ''The Hallelujah Trail'' (1965). Other movies shot here are ''Redskin'' (1928) and ''Superman'' (1978).

Gallup is sometimes called the "Indian Capital of the World", for its location in the heart of Native American lands, and the presence of Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and other tribes. 1/3 of the city's population has Native American roots. Gallup's nickname references the huge impact of the Native American cultures found in and around the city.

In 2013, Gallup was named by Rand McNally as the "Most Patriotic Small Town in America 2013".

Geography

Gallup is located at (35.5280783, −108.7425843). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 20,209 people, 6,810 households, and 4,869 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,513.7 people per square mile (584.5/km²). There were 7,349 housing units at an average density of 550.5 per square mile (212.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 43.8% Native American, 35.2% White, 31.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race, 2.0% Asian, 1.2% African American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 12.0% from other races, and 5.8% from two or more races.

There were 6,810 households, out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 19.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were non-nuclear families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.39.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 32.7% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.

It has close proximity to Native American reservations, and historic lack of economic development in addition to many mine closures in the last century. As a result of these mine closures, a large proportion of Gallup's households are low-income. The median income for a household in the city was $34,868, and the median income for a family was $39,197. Males had a median income of $33,380 versus $24,441 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,789. About 16.6% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.8% of those under age 18 and 16.8% of those age 65 or over.

Crime

Crime is a serious problem in Gallup. In 2012, violent crime was nearly five times the national average. As a result, the city has the highest violent crime rate in the state of New Mexico. According to an article published in November 2014, "Gallup saw 463 violent crimes last year including murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. That’s an eleven percent increase from the year before and two times the rate of Albuquerque, the state’s largest city."

Parade ramming

On August 4, 2022, an SUV, driven by an intoxicated individual, drove through a parade crowd during the city's 100th annual Intertribal Celebration, leaving 15 injured; including two police officers and several children.

Education

Gallup-McKinley County Public Schools is the local school district.

Previously the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) operated Manuelito Hall in Gallup, a dormitory which housed Native American students attending Gallup-McKinley schools. In 1973 it had about 300 students. That year the BIA closed Manuelito Hall, planning to move students to various boarding schools.

Transportation

Airports
* Gallup Municipal Airport, a public airport with primarily private and charter flights. The Aviation Identifier for the airport is GUP.

Major highways
* Interstate 40
* U.S. Route 491

Railroad
* Rail freight service passes through Gallup on the Southern Transcon of the BNSF Railroad.
* Amtrak's ''Southwest Chief'' provides passenger service at the Gallup train station.

Bus

* The Navajo Transit System provides regional bus services throughout the Navajo Nation. Gallup is served by Route 05 to Fort Defiance, AZ and Route 06 to Crystal, NM.
*The Gallup Express provides local service to Gallup and connection to Zuni, NM.
*A:shiwi Transit connects Zuni Pueblo and Black Rock with Gallup.
*Greyhound has a local stop on West Highway 66.

Climate

Gallup, like most of the interior Mountain West, has a cool semi-arid climate (Köppen ''BSk''). The summers are hot during the day, but the high altitude and low humidity means that nights remain distinctly cool: as late as July 2 of 1997 the temperature fell to . Despite the large diurnal temperature range, most rain falls in the summer from afternoon thunderstorms. Snow is common and sometimes heavy: the maximum in a month is in December 1992 and the most in a year between July 1990 and June 1991. Actual snow ''cover'', with the hot sun at Gallup's altitude, however, has never exceeded , and for no day averages over .

Notable people

* Glenn L. Emmons, former Gallup banker (1929) and the Commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (1953–1961)''New York Times''. "Indian Director Sworn In: Glenn L. Emmons Takes Office Succeeding Dillon S. Myer." August 11, 1953.
* Mike Everitt, former Major League Baseball umpire
* Sydney Freeland, filmmaker
* Chon Gallegos, former NFL quarterback for the Oakland Raiders
* Carl Nelson Gorman (Kin-Ya-Onny-Beyeh), Navajo code talker during World War II, visual artist, painter, illustrator, and professor; lived in Gallup from 1973 until 1998.
*Arthur T. Hannett, Mayor of Gallup, and seventh Governor of New Mexico
* Vernon Kerr, scientist and member of the New Mexico House of Representatives
* Hiroshi H. Miyamura, Medal of Honor recipient in the U.S. Army, awarded for his actions during the Korean War
* Carolyn S. Shoemaker, astronomer and co-discoverer of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9
* Sunshine Sykes, lawyer and jurist

Gallery

File:Sights of Gallup BW.jpg, Sights of Gallup
File:Gallup NM south 3rd street.jpg, South 3rd Street
File:Solar farm in Gallup NM.jpg, Solar farm in Gallup

See also

* Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup
* USS ''Gallup'', name of three ships in the United States Navy, the later two named for the city of Gallup

References

External links

Official city website
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gallup, New Mexico

1881 establishments in New Mexico Territory
Cities in McKinley County, New Mexico
Cities in New Mexico
County seats in New Mexico
Micropolitan areas of New Mexico
Populated places established in 1881