Magdalena: Railroad and Cattle Drive History

Magdalena connects the history of a railroad terminus with the cattle trails of western New Mexico. Its nickname, “Trails End,” refers to this past; at the same time, Highway 60 runs through town. When planning a trip, it is helpful to distinguish Magdalena’s local history from the regional route perspective.

Trails End: Railroad and Cattle Drives

Magdalena’s nickname, “Trails End,” recalls the railroad connection that shaped the town. In 1884, the New Mexico Railroad, a subsidiary of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, established a branch line that transported cattle, sheep’s wool, timber, and ore from Socorro to Magdalena. Cattle, sheep’s wool, timber, and ore were brought into town along it. Magdalena was once the leading commercial center in west-central New Mexico. Miners shipped ore from an area rich in lead, zinc, and silver; ranchers from western New Mexico and eastern Arizona drove their livestock to Magdalena.

Until 1971, the historic Magdalena Trail was the setting for the annual arrival of thousands of cattle and sheep in town. The Magdalena Stock Driveway stretched 125 miles into eastern Arizona and was five to ten miles wide. Each year, up to 150,000 sheep and 21,000 cattle were driven to the loading pens in Magdalena. There, the animals were loaded onto trains for transport east to be slaughtered.

Railroad History at the Depot and in Exhibits

The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Depot in Magdalena was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The Box Car Museum features old photographs and objects from life on the former frontier. The Maggie Steam Locomotive and Railroad Exhibit offers another perspective on the railroad, with tools, information, and historic photographs about the line that supported mining and cattle drives.

The Magdalena Art Gallery displays art and crafts by local artists. These include bronze sculptures, glass and metalwork, paintings, ceramics, wood carvings, beadwork, and textile art. If you would like to include the gallery in your trip, check the latest operating details in advance.

Visitor Information and Landscape

The Magdalena Visitor's Center is located at the Route 60 Trading Post, 400 First Street. The Magdalena Historic Walking Tour leads to places where traces of the region’s past have been preserved. Alongside exhibits, historic sites and routes thus offer distinct ways to explore Magdalena’s history.

Highway 60 runs through Magdalena. The Magdalena Trail can be driven between Socorro and Springerville. At Magdalena Peak is The Lady on the Mountain, a rock formation that overlooks Magdalena.

When planning a trip focused on history, it helps to distinguish between local history and the regional corridor: the depot and exhibits cover the railroad and work in town, while the Magdalena Trail and Stock Driveway show the far-reaching history of cattle drives.

Discover more destinations: Socorro

Return to the main travel overview: Socorro.