Belen, NM
Music connected to Belen
About Belen
- • Singer Al Hurricane, "The Godfather of New Mexico Music," called Belen home.
- • Belen is believed by some to be the origin of the New Mexico chile ristra.
- • The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway made Belen a key division point.
- • Harvey House Railroad Depot served as an important stop for travelers here.
- • Devastating floods from the Rio Grande frequently threatened the town's early development.
- • Named Bethlehem in Spanish, Belen was founded in 1741, incorporated in 1920.
- • Home to over 7,300 residents, it's smaller than nearby Los Lunas.
- • Sitting at 4,809 feet, the air is crisp, offering expansive desert views.
- • Many residents work in transportation, logistics, and local government jobs.
- • A close-knit community, Belen feels like stepping back into simpler times.
- • The Albuquerque Isotopes, a baseball team, provide AAA fun nearby.
- • Belen High School's Eagles have a strong rivalry with Los Lunas High School.