City history
A journey through the timekeeping and historical milestones of the Rio Grande valley's most prominent city.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Lower River"
Before the city was named Albuquerque, the region was part of the Spanish colonial Rio Abajo province, designating the area south of the upper Rio Grande.
Nobiliary name
The city was named in honor of the Duke of Alburquerque, a Spanish nobleman.
Chapter two
The United States officially adopted standard time zones to coordinate railroad movements across the nation.
The federal government passed the Uniform Time Act to standardize daylight saving time practices.
Chapter three
Spanish settlers began establishing a presence in the Rio Abajo region.
The area transitioned from Mexican to United States control following the conclusion of the war.
The arrival of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway revolutionized local commerce and timekeeping.
Albuquerque was officially incorporated, marking its formal transition into a chartered city.