Oral History Interviews of the Abo Canyon Oral History Project for the BNSF Railroad
Collection
Identifier: MSS-952-BC
Scope and Content
The collection consists of audio and transcripts of interviews, primarily with ranchers, farmers, and railroad employees from settlements along the Belen Cutoff of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (now BNSF) Railway between Belen and Clovis, NM. The interviews generated a large body of knowledge related to the railroad, settlement patterns, and community formation in the region, including Socorro, Torrance, and Valencia counties. Interview participants provided detailed information about how their families and others, both Hispanos and Anglos, settled central New Mexico in the highlands east of the Rio Grande Valley- a process accelerated by the construction of the Belen Cutoff from 1903-1907. This research also focused on economic trends and shifts in land use, including the transition from sheep herding and dry-land farming to cattle ranching and a wage-based economy.
Dates
- 2007-2009
- Majority of material found within 2008
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Project History
Parametrix conducted the cultural resource survey and mitigation of adverse effects for the BNSF's Second Track Project, near Belen, NM as a major component of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 compliance process. Shawn Kelley, a cultural anthropologist and ethnographer interviewed scores of individuals, recording their oral histories related to the railroad, Abo Canyon, and the surrounding area.
Extent
1 box (.26 cu. ft.)
Abstract
Parametrix conducted the cultural resource survey and mitigation of adverse effects for the BNSF's Second Track Project, near Belen, NM as a major component of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 compliance process. Shawn Kelley, a cultural anthropologist and ethnographer interviewed scores of individuals, recording their oral histories related to the railroad, Abo Canyon, and the surrounding area.
Separated Material
Master digital files are stored on the library file server.
- Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad Company
- Belen (N.M.) -- History
- Burlington Northern Railroad Company
- Kelley, Shawn
- Oral histories
- Parametrix, Inc
- Railroads -- New Mexico -- History
- Ranch life -- New Mexico
- Sheep industry -- History
- Socorro County (N.M.) -- History
- Sound recordings
- Torrance County (N.M.) -- History
- Valencia County (N.M.) -- History
- Title
- Finding aid of the Oral History Interviews of the Abo Canyon Oral History Project for the BNSF Railroad, 2007-2009 (bulk 2008)
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- © 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451