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New Mexico Place Names : A Geographical Dictionary
New Mexico Place Names A Geographical Dictionary Author:T. M. Pearce Containing more than 5000 individual items, New Mexico Place Names explores the folklore, history, and frontier humor of New Mexico. The book is presented in dictionary form for easy reference, and main entries give the location of the place named, highways leading to it, nearby railroads, and historical information relevant to the naming of the... more » place.
Spanish and Indian names are translated, and names in English are discussed in terms of the events which influenced their bestowal. Post offices, because they were community centers, are frequently mentioned; their early postmasters and the dates of establishment are given. All of the major land grants are listed.
Such names as Belly Ache Mesa, Me Own Hills, Humbug Creek, and Pep illustrate the humor of the early settlers. Grimmer aspects of frontier life are commemorated in such names as Six Shooter Siding and Dead Man's Arroyo.
One of the most fascinating parts of Dr. Pearce's investigation is the intermingling of Indian and Spanish names. South of San Ildefonso Pueblo is a high mesa associated with Tsahveeyo, a giant in Tewa Indian mythology. The Spanish name for the mesa was Gigantes, "giants," suggesting that they were aware of the folklore associated with the area.« less