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The Anasazi originally settled in the area during the 7th Century, with ruins still intact at nearby Salmon and Aztec ruins. After the Anasazi people left, the Navajos, Jicarilla Apaches, and Utes began to migrate into the region. With thoughts that the mineral prospecting by the Spanish and Americans would increase interest in the area, few settlements were permanent. In 1868, the Navajo Nation was formed, taking up the western half of the county. A short time later, the federal government offered the Jicarilla Apache the remaining land in San Juan County, but they refused to take it, resulting in opening the remaining land for settlement.

 

With a population of just 548 people, Farmington was founded in 1901. By September 1905, the railroad connecting Farmington, NM to Durango, CO was completed, allowing economic and settlement prospects to grow. The creation of a road connecting Farmington to Albuquerque in the 1940s and the construction of the San Juan Basin Natural Gas Pipeline in 1953 – a project led by Tom Bolack – the population increased considerably to 35,000. The population of Farmington today is nearly 50,000.

 

Farmington serves as the center of commerce for the Four Corners region; its primary industries being the mining of petroleum, natural gas, and coal. The San Juan and Navajo mines, operated by BHP Billiton, sit just miles from town. The coal extracted from these mines is used to fuel the nearby Four Corners Generating Station and San Juan Power Plant to produce steam, which is then transformed into electricity. Three of the other largest employers include Farmington Municipal Schools, San Juan College, and San Juan Regional Medical Center. 

 

Whether it’s relaxing on the shores of Farmington Lake, taking in a baseball game during the annual Connie Mack World Series, or walking the nature trails in Animas and Berg parks, Farmington has everything you need to keep a family entertained. Riverfest draws a crowd of nature lovers and music fans to celebrate the city’s rivers and nature spaces every summer. The High Desert Fine Arts Festival and quarterly Downtown Art Walks make appreciating art an easy task. Children can take in a day of adventure at the Farmington Public Library or the E3 Children’s Museum. Visiting the Farmington Museum at Gateway Park is also a great idea for anyone looking to learn more about the nearby cultures while exploring the roots of the town.