Capitan, New Mexico
Encyclopedia
Capitan is a village in Lincoln County
, New Mexico
, United States
, located north of the Lincoln National Forest
between the Capitan
and Sacramento Mountains
at an elevation of 6,530 feet (1,990 m). The population was 1,443 at the 2000 census. Capitan was founded in the 1890s and incorporated in 1941.
, Capitan has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,443 people, 605 households, and 416 families residing in the village. The population density
was 450.9 people per square mile (174.1/km²). There were 717 housing units at an average density of 224.0 per square mile (86.5/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 87.53% White, 0.55% African American, 1.46% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 7.76% from other races
, and 2.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.20% of the population.
There were 605 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples
living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the village the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $27,188, and the median income for a family was $32,115. Males had a median income of $23,500 versus $16,902 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $15,062. About 8.3% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.
In spring of 1950, a badly burned black bear
cub was rescued from a large forest fire
at Capitan Gap in the Capitan Mountains
. First called Hotfoot Teddy, he was later renamed Smokey and became the real-life version of the United States Forest Service
mascot Smokey Bear
. Smokey was later sent to the National Zoo
in Washington, D.C.
, where he lived for 26 years. Upon his death on November 9, 1976, Smokey's remains were returned by the government to Capitan and buried at what is now the Smokey Bear Historical Park.
, owner of the K-Bob's Steakhouse
restaurant
chain. He was also the unsuccessful Republican
nominee in 2008 for the 2nd congressional district seat vacated by Steve Pearce
, who ran for the United States Senate
.
Author Elizabeth Fackler also makes her home in Capitan. She is the author of novels, short stories and poetry. Her novel, "My Eyes Have a Cold Nose", won the best historical fiction category of the New Mexico Book Awards in 2009.
Lincoln County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*85.1% White*0.5% Black*2.4% Native American*0.4% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.5% Two or more races*9.1% Other races*29.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, located north of the Lincoln National Forest
Lincoln National Forest
The Lincoln National Forest is a protected national forest in the State of New Mexico in the southwestern United States. It was established in 1902 and covers 1,103,828 acres...
between the Capitan
Capitan Mountains
The Capitan Mountains are a mountain range in Lincoln County, in south-central New Mexico in the southwestern United States. The range is about 20 miles long from east to west and about 6 miles wide, formed from a large, elongated granite intrusion similar to the round one that produced Carrizo...
and Sacramento Mountains
Sacramento Mountains
The Sacramento Mountains are a mountain range in the south-central part of the U.S. state of New Mexico, lying just east of Alamogordo in Otero County...
at an elevation of 6,530 feet (1,990 m). The population was 1,443 at the 2000 census. Capitan was founded in the 1890s and incorporated in 1941.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, Capitan has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,443 people, 605 households, and 416 families residing in the village. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 450.9 people per square mile (174.1/km²). There were 717 housing units at an average density of 224.0 per square mile (86.5/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 87.53% White, 0.55% African American, 1.46% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 7.76% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.20% of the population.
There were 605 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the village the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $27,188, and the median income for a family was $32,115. Males had a median income of $23,500 versus $16,902 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the village was $15,062. About 8.3% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Major Highways- U.S. Route 380U.S. Route 380U.S. Route 380 is an east–west United States highway. The highway's eastern terminus is in Greenville, Texas at an intersection with Interstate 30, of which the easternmost 3–4 miles are co-located with US 69 in a loop around the west and south sides of Greenville. Its western terminus is at...
- NM 48New Mexico State Highway 48New Mexico State Highway 48 is a state highway that runs north–south through the Sacramento Mountains, which are part of the Lincoln National Forest in Lincoln County, New Mexico in the United States. Its southern terminus is at U.S. Route 70 in the town of Ruidoso, New Mexico. Its northern...
- NM 246
Smokey Bear
American black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
cub was rescued from a large forest fire
Capitan Gap fire
The Capitan Gap Fire was a human-caused forest fire that broke out in Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico in the Capitan mountain range in 1950. The fire devastated 17,000 acres ....
at Capitan Gap in the Capitan Mountains
Capitan Mountains
The Capitan Mountains are a mountain range in Lincoln County, in south-central New Mexico in the southwestern United States. The range is about 20 miles long from east to west and about 6 miles wide, formed from a large, elongated granite intrusion similar to the round one that produced Carrizo...
. First called Hotfoot Teddy, he was later renamed Smokey and became the real-life version of the United States Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
mascot Smokey Bear
Smokey Bear
Smokey Bear is a mascot of the United States Forest Service created to educate the public about the dangers of forest fires. An advertising campaign featuring Smokey was created in 1944 with the slogan, "Smokey Says – Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires". Smokey Bear's later slogan,...
. Smokey was later sent to the National Zoo
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
The Smithsonian National Zoological Park, commonly known as the National Zoo, is one of the oldest zoos in the United States, and as part of the Smithsonian Institution, does not charge admission. Founded in 1889, its mission is to provide leadership in animal care, science, education,...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, where he lived for 26 years. Upon his death on November 9, 1976, Smokey's remains were returned by the government to Capitan and buried at what is now the Smokey Bear Historical Park.
People
Capitan is the home of rancher and businessman Edward R. Tinsley, IIIEdward R. Tinsley
Edward Roy Tinsley, III , is an attorney, rancher, and businessman with interests in oil, natural gas, and restaurants who has twice failed in Republican bids for the United States House of Representatives from the 2nd congressional district of his adopted state of New Mexico...
, owner of the K-Bob's Steakhouse
K-Bob's Steakhouse
K-Bob’s Steakhouse is a regional restaurant chain that operates in the cattle country of Texas and New Mexico. Founded in 1966 in Clovis, New Mexico, by Gabe E. Parson , the company sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1989, and reopened in 1991 under the ownership and management of Edward Roy Tinsley...
restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
chain. He was also the unsuccessful Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
nominee in 2008 for the 2nd congressional district seat vacated by Steve Pearce
Steve Pearce
Stevan Edward "Steve" Pearce is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously held the seat from 2003 to 2009 and was an Assistant Minority Whip.-Early life, education and career:...
, who ran for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
.
Author Elizabeth Fackler also makes her home in Capitan. She is the author of novels, short stories and poetry. Her novel, "My Eyes Have a Cold Nose", won the best historical fiction category of the New Mexico Book Awards in 2009.